Gartered Trogon

About

The Gartered Trogon is a small to medium-sized trogon found in humid tropical and subtropical forests of Central and South America. It is known for its striking sexual dimorphism, with males displaying iridescent green and blue plumage and a distinctive red belly, while females are duller. They are typically observed perched upright and motionless, often high in the canopy, making them challenging to spot despite their vibrant colors.

Size & lifespan

Length

23-25 cm

Wingspan

30-35 cm

Weight

45-65 g

Lifespan

Approximately 5-8 years in the wild

Diet

Insectivore and Frugivore

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Male: Iridescent green head, back, and upper breast, transitioning to blue on the rump. A narrow white band separates the green breast from the bright red lower breast and belly. The undertail is white with fine black barring. The upperwing coverts are finely vermiculated black and white, giving a grayish appearance. Female: Slate-gray head, back, and breast, with a duller red belly. The undertail is white with broader black barring. The upperwing coverts are finely vermiculated black and buffy-white, appearing brownish-gray.

Beak shape

Short, stout, and slightly hooked bill, typically yellowish-orange in males and duller yellow to grayish in females.

Eye color

Dark brown, surrounded by a prominent orbital ring. Males have a bright yellow orbital ring, while females have a duller yellow to grayish orbital ring.

Leg color

Grayish-brown to dark gray.

Distinguishing features

Males: Bright yellow orbital ring, iridescent green upperparts, and a distinct white breast band separating green from red. Females: Dull yellow orbital ring, slate-gray upperparts, and a less defined breast band.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble females but are generally duller, with less distinct markings. Young males may show hints of green on the back and a yellowish wash on the belly, while young females are more uniformly brownish-gray.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes; plumage remains consistent year-round.

Sexual dimorphism

Highly sexually dimorphic. Males are much more brightly colored with iridescent green and blue, a bright yellow orbital ring, and a vivid red belly. Females are predominantly slate-gray with a duller red belly and a less conspicuous orbital ring.

How to identify

1. 1

   Size and Shape

   Medium-sized, compact bird with a relatively large head, short, stout bill, and a long, broad tail. They typically perch upright.

2. 2

   Male Plumage

   Look for the iridescent green head, back, and upper breast, bright yellow orbital ring, a narrow white breast band, and a vivid red lower breast and belly. The finely barred black and white undertail is also a key feature.

3. 3

   Female Plumage

   Identify by the slate-gray head, back, and breast, duller yellow orbital ring, and a duller red belly. The undertail is white with broader black barring.

4. 4

   Vocalizations

   Listen for the characteristic soft, mournful, and often accelerating 'cow-cow-cow' or 'kwa-kwa-kwa' calls, which are often the first indication of their presence.

5. 5

   Behavior

   Observe their typical behavior of perching motionless for extended periods, often in the mid-story of the forest, before making short sallies to catch insects or pluck fruit.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, secondary forests, forest edges, and mature plantations.

Geographic range

From southeastern Mexico through Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) and into northwestern South America (Colombia, western Ecuador, extreme northwestern Venezuela).

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to 1,200 meters (3,900 feet), occasionally higher.

Preferred environments

Prefers the mid-story and sub-canopy of humid forests, often near clearings or along forest edges where fruit-bearing trees and insect prey are abundant.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during the early morning and late afternoon.

Feeding habits

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects such as caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, and cicadas, which they often sally-glean from foliage or branches. They also consume small fruits, particularly those of laurels and other forest trees, especially during the non-breeding season.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs, especially during the breeding season. They are not known to form flocks.

Flight pattern

Short, undulating flights between perches. They are not strong fliers and typically make short dashes. Their flight is often described as direct but somewhat clumsy.

Migration pattern

Resident throughout its range; no significant migratory movements are known.

Territoriality

Pairs defend a breeding territory, primarily through vocalizations. Males may engage in short chases to deter rivals.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, but generally from March to July in Central America, coinciding with the rainy season and peak insect abundance.

Nesting habits

Nests in cavities, typically excavated in soft, rotting wood of dead trees or stumps, or sometimes in old termite nests. Both sexes participate in excavating the nest cavity.

Clutch size

Typically 2-3 eggs.

Egg description

Usually 2-3 eggs, which are glossy white or pale bluish-white, unspotted, and oval-shaped.

Incubation period

Approximately 17-19 days, primarily by the female, though the male may assist.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge about 17-20 days after hatching.

Parental care

Both parents share duties of incubation and feeding the nestlings. They bring insects and small fruits to the young.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for Calls. Trogons are often heard before they are seen. Learn their distinctive cooing calls to locate them. They tend to call from a fixed perch for some time.
2. Scan Mid-Story. Focus your binoculars on the mid-story and sub-canopy of trees. Trogons often perch motionless on horizontal branches, making them blend in despite their colors.
3. Look for Movement. While they are often still, watch for subtle head movements or short flights between perches. Their short, direct flights can be a clue.
4. Patience is Key. Trogons are notoriously difficult to spot due to their cryptic behavior. Be patient and persistent in scanning suitable habitats.
5. Early Morning/Late Afternoon. These are the most active times for trogons, increasing your chances of hearing or seeing them.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Insects and fruits

Habitat:

Humid tropical and subtropical forests

Status:

Least Concern (IUCN)

Nesting:

Cavity nester in rotting wood or termite nests

Vocalization:

Soft, mournful coos

Fun facts

• Trogons have a unique foot arrangement called heterodactyl, where the first and second toes point backward, and the third and fourth toes point forward. This is unusual among birds and helps them grip branches.
• Despite their vibrant colors, Gartered Trogons can be incredibly difficult to spot as they often sit motionless for long periods, relying on camouflage and stillness to avoid detection.
• The name 'trogon' comes from the Greek word 'trogein', meaning 'to gnaw' or 'to nibble', referring to their habit of excavating nest cavities in wood.
• The Gartered Trogon was formerly considered a subspecies of the Violaceous Trogon (Trogon violaceus) but was elevated to full species status based on vocal and morphological differences.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Trogoniformes

Family

Trogonidae

Genus

Trogon

Species

Trogon caligatus

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