View source for Quetzal

{{Short description|Group of birds}}
{{for multi|the best-known species in this group and the national bird of Guatemala|Resplendent quetzal|other uses|Quetzal (disambiguation)}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| image = Golden-headed Quetzal.jpg
| image_caption = [[Golden-headed quetzal]]
| auto = yes
| parent = Trogonidae
| includes = {{columns-list|
* ''[[Pharomachrus]]''
* ''[[Euptilotis]]''
}}
}}
'''Quetzals''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ɛ|t|ˈ|s|ɑː|l|,_|ˈ|k|ɛ|t|s|əl}}) are strikingly colored [[bird]]s in the [[trogon]] family. They are found in [[forest]]s, especially in humid [[highland]]s, with the five species from the genus ''Pharomachrus'' being exclusively [[Neotropical]], while a single species, the [[eared quetzal]], ''Euptilotis neoxenus'', is found in [[Guatemala]], sometimes in [[Mexico]] and very locally in the southernmost [[United States]].<ref>{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2017 |title=''Euptilotis neoxenus'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T22682744A118368393 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22682744A118368393.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> In the highlands of the states of [[Sonora]], [[Chihuahua (state)|Chihuahua]], [[Sinaloa]], [[Durango]], [[Nayarit]], [[Zacatecas]], [[Jalisco]], and [[Michoacán]], the eared quetzal can be found from northwest to west-central Mexico. It is a [[Mesoamerica|Mesoamerican]] indigenous species, but some reports show that it occasionally travels and nests in southeastern [[Arizona]] and [[New Mexico]] in the United States. June to October is the mating season for eared quetzals.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Contreras-Martínez |first1=Sarahy |last2=Rosas-Espinoza |first2=Verónica Carolina |last3=Santiago-Pérez |first3=Ana Luisa |last4=Carlos-Gómez |first4=Jorge Armando |last5=Salas-Ruiz |first5=Alejandra Noemí |last6=Cárdenas-Hernández |first6=Oscar Gilberto |date=2021-09-14 |title=Southern distribution and evidence of migration in the Eared Quetzal (Euptilotis neoxenus) in west-central Jalisco, Mexico |journal=The Wilson Journal of Ornithology |volume=132 |issue=4 |pages=991–998 |doi=10.1676/1559-4491-132.4.991 |s2cid=237505997 |issn=1559-4491}}</ref> Quetzals are fairly large (all over {{convert|32|cm|abbr=on}} long), slightly bigger than other trogon species.<ref name="Restall">Restall, R. L., C. Rodner, & M. Lentino (2006). ''Birds of Northern South America.'' Christopher Helm. {{ISBN|0-7136-7243-9}} (vol. 1). {{ISBN|0-7136-7242-0}} (vol. 2).</ref><ref name="Ridgely">Ridgely, R. S., & J. A. Gwynne, Jr. (1989). ''A Guide to the Birds of Panama with Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras.'' 2nd edition. Princeton University Press. {{ISBN|0-691-08529-3}}</ref> The [[resplendent quetzal]] is the [[List of national birds|national bird]] of Guatemala because of its vibrant colour and cultural significance to the [[Maya peoples|Maya]].

== Physical attributes ==
Quetzals have iridescent green or golden-green [[wing covert]]s, back, chest and head, with a red belly. Their wings are suited to camouflage under rainy conditions, because their feathers blend well with wet and shiny green area.<ref name="LaBastille, Allen, & Durrell 1972 pp. 339–348">{{cite journal |last1=LaBastille  |first1=A. |last2=Allen |first2=D. G. |last3=Durrell |first3=L. W. |title=Behavior and Feather Structure of the Quetzal |journal=The Auk |volume=89 |issue=2 |year=1972 |issn=0004-8038 |doi=10.2307/4084210 |pages=339–348 |jstor=4084210 |oclc=7793011322|doi-access=free }}</ref> They are strongly [[sexually dimorphic]], and parts of the females' [[plumage]] are brown or grey. The tails of the male quetzals may take up to three years after reaching maturity to grow to the maximum length.<ref name=Tremain>{{Cite journal |last=Tremain |first=Cara Grace |date=2016-05-19 |title=Birds of a Feather: Exploring the Acquisition of Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) Tail Coverts in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica |journal=Human Ecology |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=399–408 |doi=10.1007/s10745-016-9827-8 |bibcode=2016HumEc..44..399T |issn=0300-7839}}</ref> These largely solitary birds feed on fruits, berries, insects and small [[vertebrate]]s (such as frogs).<ref name=Restall/><ref name=Ridgely/> Even with their famous bright plumage, they can be hard to see in their natural wooded habitats.

==Conservation status==
None of the many quetzal species are under immediate threat in the wild, although the eared and resplendent quetzal are at the [[Near Threatened]] status.<ref name="IUCN">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2016 |title=''Pharomachrus mocinno'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T22682727A92958465 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22682727A92958465.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> ''Pharomachrus mocinno'' is dependent on standing dead and mature trees for breeding holes, which are only formed in primary cloud forest; the species' breeding behavior is linked to the long term existence of these forests such as the few remaining in highland Guatemala.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Renner|first=Swen C. |date=2005-01-01 |title=The Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) in the Sierra Yalijux, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala|journal=Journal of Ornithology |language=en|volume=146|issue=1|pages=79–84 |doi=10.1007/s10336-004-0060-7 |bibcode=2005JOrni.146...79R |s2cid=2329738|issn=1439-0361}}</ref> The remaining are not considered threatened by the [[IUCN]] and all are locally common.<ref name=Restall/><ref name=Ridgely/> Among the most concentrated populations are the Baja Verapaz part of the [[Sierra de las Minas]] and the [[Chicabnab|Chicabnab Reserve]] of Alta Verapaz.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rutas de observación |url=https://birdwatching.com.gt/observacion%20del%20quetzal/ruta-verapaces.html |website=Observación del Quetzal en Guatemala |publisher=INGUAT |access-date=28 December 2022 |language=es |date=2009}}</ref> However, it should be kept in mind while despite the fact that quetzals typically inhabit cloud forests, the fact that they are being divided into much smaller patches is what is known as a principal threat to their survival.<ref>{{Cite journal |author-last1=Bolanos-Sittler |author-first1=Pablo |author-last2=Sueur |author-first2=Jerome |author-last3=Fuchs |author-first3=Jerome |author-last4=Aubin |author-first4=Thierry |date=2020-11-01 |title=Vocalisation of the rare and flagship species Pharomachrus mocinno (Aves: Trogonidae): implications for its taxonomy, evolution and conservation |journal=Bioacoustics |language=en |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=654–69 |doi=10.1080/09524622.2019.1647877 |bibcode=2020Bioac..29..654B |s2cid=202847057 |issn=0952-4622 |url=https://hal-mnhn.archives-ouvertes.fr/mnhn-02279143/file/Bolanos_etal_Quetzal_2019.pdf}}</ref> Another major threat to these animals is [[poaching]]. Since their feathers are still seen as an artifact poachers use their feather as trade to foreign tourists and museum collectors, but also are used for medicines and rituals. Deforestation is eliminating their natural habitat causing them to relocate to other areas.<ref name=Tremain/> Resplendent Quetzals are known to relocate in lower elevated areas during the summertime when precipitation is known to increase, their patterns in movement are most likely correlated to a surplus of ripe Lauraceae fruits.<ref>{{Cite journal |author-last1=Solorzano |author-first1=Sofia |author-last2=Castillo |author-first2=Stephanie |author-last3=Valverde |author-first3=Teresa |author-last4=Avila |author-first4=Leo Fernandes |date=2000-09-01 |title=Quetzal abundance in relation to fruit availability in a cloud forest in southeastern Mexico |journal= Biotropica |language=en |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=523–32 |doi=10.1111/j.1744-7429.2000.tb00498.x |s2cid=86242565 |issn=0006-3606}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name ''quetzal'' is from [[Nahuatl]] {{lang|nah|quetzalli}} {{IPA|nah|keˈt͡salːi|}}, "large brilliant tail feather" (''American Audubon Dictionary'') or "tail coverts of the quetzal" (''[[Webster's Dictionary#Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary|Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary]]''), from the Nahuatl [[root (linguistics)|root]] {{lang|nah|quetz}} = "stand up" used to refer to an upstanding plume of feathers. The word entered English through [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. The quetzal plays a central role in Mesoamerican mythology and is associated with the Aztec deity [[Quetzalcoatl]].

The word ''quetzal'' was originally used for just the [[resplendent quetzal]], the long-tailed quetzal of [[Guatemala]], (more specifically the area of Northern Guatemala known as the Petén) which is the [[national bird]] and the name of the [[Guatemalan quetzal|currency]] of Guatemala. It still often refers to that bird specifically but now also names all the species of the genera ''Pharomachrus'' and ''Euptilotis''.

''Pharomachrus'' is from [[Ancient Greek]] {{lang|grc|φάρος}} {{lang|grc-Latn|pharos}}, "mantle", and {{lang|grc|μακρός}} {{lang|grc-Latn|makros}}, "long", referring to the wing and tail coverts of the resplendent quetzal (the second ''h'' is unexplained).

The quetzal is also known in Peru as the {{lang|es|pilco}}.<ref name=sclater>{{cite journal |last=Sclater |first=Philip Lutley |title=List of the first Collection of Birds made by Mr. Louis Fraser at Pallatanga, Ecuador, with Notes and Descriptions of New Species |page=144 |journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London |volume=XXVII  |year=1859 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UfNGAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA144 }}</ref><ref name=pilco-es>{{cite web |title=Pilco o Quetzal Cabeza Dorada |year=2006 |language=es |publisher=Parque Nacional de Perú |access-date=2017-09-07 |url=http://www.galeon.com/cutervinos/El_pilco.htm |archive-date=2017-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026080248/http://www.galeon.com/cutervinos/El_pilco.htm }}</ref>

== Cultural significance ==
[[File:Bird of paradise (quetzal) (one of a pair) MET DP-12314-002.jpg|thumb|upright|Pair of quetzal figurines, 1733, hard-paste porcelain, overall: 31.8 x 9.2 x 8.3 cm, [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] (New York City)]]

The Quetzal has long been significantly important for the ancient Maya and Aztecs. Their feathers were considered luxury goods to represent high status and are often seen in the headdresses of the emperors and other costume elements.<ref name=Tremain/>

==Species==
Genus ''[[Pharomachrus]]'':
* [[Crested quetzal]], ''Pharomachrus antisianus''.
* [[Golden-headed quetzal]], ''Pharomachrus auriceps''.
* [[White-tipped quetzal]], ''Pharomachrus fulgidus''.
* [[Resplendent quetzal]], ''Pharomachrus mocinno''.
* [[Pavonine quetzal]], ''Pharomachrus pavoninus''.
Genus ''Euptilotis'':
* [[Eared quetzal]], ''Euptilotis neoxenus'' is related to ''Pharomachrus'' and is called the eared quetzal by some authorities, such as the [[American Ornithologists' Union]], but the eared trogon by others.

==See also==
* [[List of English words of Nahuatl origin]]
* [[The Nest (aviary)]]

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==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Pharomachrus}}
* {{ITIS |id=553589 |taxon=Pharomachrus}}
* [http://ibc.lynxeds.com/family/trogons-trogonidae Trogon videos], including quetzals, on the Internet Bird Collection
* [http://www.bobbyrica.com/2010/08/11/the-bird-that-is-the-quetzal/ A study about quetzal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314160115/http://www.bobbyrica.com/2010/08/11/the-bird-that-is-the-quetzal/ |date=2022-03-14 }}, The quetzal description and habitat

{{Trogons}}

[[Category:Trogonidae]]
[[Category:Bird common names]]