184

TROGONS (TROGONIDAE; 9 SPECIES) Pantropical family of fairly large,

colorful, mostly forest-based birds. Ages/sexes differ; attain adult plumage in 1 year. Nest

in cavities.

BLACK-HEADED TROGON  Trogon melanocephalus 26.5–28cm. Medium-

size, rather long-tailed trogon of lowland forest and edge, gallery forest, semi-

open areas with scattered trees, plantations, mangroves; nests in occupied

termitaries. Mainly at mid–upper levels, sometimes on roadside wires; birds

gather at fruiting trees, where can be confiding. Often occurs alongside appre­

ciably smaller, more compact Gartered Trogon, which has bold barring under

tail (1st-year Black-headed has some dark bars at edges of tail); male Gartered

also has yellow eyering, pale gray wing panel; female has white eye-crescents,

barred wing coverts. Cf. smaller Northern Black-throated Trogon, typically in

forest interior. SOUNDS: Song a series of hollow nasal clucks that accelerate into a rattle and end fairly

abruptly, kuh kuh-kuh...keh-keh..., 2–4 secs; may suggest an antshrike but lacks snarl at end of song.

Hollow, thrush-like clucks. STATUS: Fairly common to common on n. Pacific slope, to 800m; uncommon

to scarce and local on n. Caribbean slope. (Mexico to Costa Rica.)

BAIRD’S TROGON  Trogon bairdii 27–29cm. Fairly large, rather long-tailed

trogon of humid lowland forest and edge. Mainly at mid–upper levels, often

rather high in subcanopy. Distinctive in range, with orange-red underparts,

blue eyering; from behind, cf. Black-headed Trogon (little range overlap). Imm.

male tail resembles female but with broader white tips. SOUNDS: Fairly rapid

series of hollow, overslurred clucks, accelerating partway through and often

with slightly laughing quality, kyowh, kyowh, kowh-kowh...kuh-kuh..., mostly

4–8 secs duration and can suggest an antshrike; starts at 4–5 notes/sec, in­

creasing to 7–8 notes/sec, often slowing again slightly at end. Calls include

rippling nasal chatters, mostly 1–2 secs, often with vaguely laughing cadence. STATUS: Fairly common on

Pacific slope, to 1200m. (Costa Rica to w. Panama.)

GARTERED [VIOLACEOUS] TROGON  Trogon caligatus 24–25.5cm. Small,

rather compact, yellow-bellied trogon of humid forest and edge, gallery forest,

plantations; often nests in arboreal wasp nests. Mainly at mid–upper levels;

sings from subcanopy, at times on exposed perches. Often occurs alongside

appreciably larger, longer-tailed Black-headed Trogon; readily separated by

structure, plumage, voice. Northern Black-throated Trogon favors shady under­

story; male told by green head and breast with blue eyering, female has brown

head and breast. SOUNDS: Song a fairly rapid, steady series (usually 4–9 secs) of

overslurred nasal hoots, kyow-kyow…or kuh-kuh..., 3–4 notes/sec; easily mis­

taken at a distance for Ferruginous Pygmy Owl. Slightly overslurred dry growl, and series of nasal clucks,

often with slightly laughing cadence. STATUS: Fairly common on both slopes, to 1500m; uncommon and

more local in drier nw. lowlands. (Mexico to nw. S America.)

*NORTHERN BLACK-THROATED TROGON  Trogon [rufus] tenellus 25–

26cm. Fairly small trogon of humid forest, plantations, adjacent taller second

growth. Favors shady forest interior at low to mid-levels, where singles or pairs

often sit quietly and can be confiding. Distinctive, with yellow belly, barred tail

pattern, habits; also note male’s combination of green head and breast with pale

bluish eyering, cf. Gartered Trogon. Female’s brown head and breast and rusty

tail suggest female Northern Collared Trogon, which has dark face, red belly,

distinct tail pattern. SOUNDS: Song an unhurried series of (2–5, usually 3)

plaintive, downslurred whistles, hyowh hyowh hyowh, typically at least 10 secs

between series; suggests Northern Collared Trogon but slightly slower, more evenly paced. Call a slightly

descending nasal growl, ehrrrrr. STATUS: Fairly common to uncommon on both slopes to 1000m, rarely

to 1500m. (Honduras to nw. Colombia.)