Rainforest Birds – White-Tailed Trogon

Bird Name:

White-tailed Trogon

Latin Name:

Trogon viridis

position:

Least Concern

Scientific Classification:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Trogoniformes

Family: Trogonidae

Genus: Trogon

Species: T. viridis

General Information:

The White-tailed Trogon is also known as the Green-backed Trogon. It is a comparatively large bird of Central and South America. They are non-migratory, but will move locally.

Physical Description:

This species of trogon is on average 9 to 13 inches in length and weighs about 82 g. They have short, rounded wings and long, squared off tails. The males are brightly colored with a blue head and upper breast. His back is green and becomes more blue towards the rump. The underparts are yellow and the undertail is white with a black center. The female has a more grayish plumage and more black is apparent on her tail. She does, however, nevertheless possess a yellow belly like the male.

Diet:

The White-tailed Trogon feeds on insects, such as locusts and including larvae, small lizards, and fruits and berries.

Habitat:

It occurs in tropical forests, including evergreen and second growth woods. Its range spans from Panama south by Brazil, including Colombia and Ecuador, and also on the island of Trinidad. There is a disjunct population in Eastern Brazil. The White-tailed Trogon usually nests in a termite nest or another excavated hole in a rotten tree.

Reproduction:

The female White-tailed Trogon generally lays 2 to 3 eggs per clutch. Both sexes will participate in the incubation of the eggs. The incubation last for a period of about 16 to 18 days. The nestling will fledge after approximately two weeks.