The Resplendent Quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno, is a bird in the trogon family. It is found from southern Mexico to western Panama. It is famous for its colorful plumage and the long tail.
This quetzal plays an important role in Mesoamerican mythologies. The Resplendent Quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird, and an image of it is on the flag and coat of arms of Guatemala. It is also the name of the local currency (abbreviation GTQ).

It was one bird I definitely wanted to photographed. As soon as we got to Savegre Mountain Lodge, a favorite hangout of the Quetzal, we ask if there had been any sightings. They said, “There is a pair at the nest by the school,” a mile down the road. And they were right. The males and female took turns going in and out of the hole in the tree that was their nest. Photo 1258 shows the crowd of birders the Quetzal’s attracted.

The male has beautiful long green tail feathers not present in the females. The photos were taken at quite a distance and I wanted to get some closer photos. I hoped this would be possible at Paraiso Quetzel that we visited on the way out.

Again we asked where the sightings were and the owner told us to go down a road about a mile, turn left on a cement path and it would be there. However, there was on sight of them. Awhile later the owner came by, walked about 50 feet toward the forest and said, “Look up there.” And there they were. This time they were closer and the head feathers came into better focus (see 2000 series photos).

The pronunciation of Quetzel is Kat-zal.

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