Surucua Trogon

About

The Surucua Trogon is a medium-sized, vibrantly colored bird found in the Atlantic Forest biome of South America. Known for its striking sexual dimorphism, the male boasts brilliant red underparts, while the female exhibits a more subdued, yet still attractive, reddish-orange belly. They are typically observed perched upright and motionless in the mid-story of forests, often giving their characteristic calls.

Size & lifespan

Length

26-28 cm

Wingspan

35-40 cm

Weight

56-72 g

Lifespan

Approximately 8-10 years in the wild

Diet

Insectivore/Frugivore

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Male: Head and upper breast iridescent blue-black to dark blue-green, depending on light. White breast band separates upperparts from bright red lower breast and belly. Back and rump metallic green. Wings finely vermiculated black and white. Tail dark blue-green with white tips to outer rectrices. Female: Head and upper breast dark gray. White breast band. Lower breast and belly reddish-orange. Back and rump olive-brown. Wings finely vermiculated black and white. Tail dark with narrow white tips to outer rectrices.

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 distinct orbital ring. Male has a prominent orange-yellow orbital ring, while the female's is duller yellow or grayish.

Leg color

Grayish-pink to dull gray.

Distinguishing features

The combination of iridescent upperparts, a white breast band, and brightly colored underparts (red in males, reddish-orange in females) is characteristic. The prominent orbital ring is also a key feature.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble females but are duller overall, with less distinct coloration and often mottled or barred underparts. The orbital ring is less developed.

Seasonal changes

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

Sexual dimorphism

Strongly sexually dimorphic. Males have iridescent blue-black/green heads and bright red bellies. Females have gray heads and reddish-orange bellies, with olive-brown backs.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage Coloration (Male)

   Look for the iridescent blue-black to dark blue-green head and upper breast, metallic green back, white breast band, and bright red lower breast and belly. The finely vermiculated black and white wings are also distinctive.

2. 2

   Plumage Coloration (Female)

   Identify by the dark gray head and upper breast, olive-brown back, white breast band, and reddish-orange lower breast and belly. The finely vermiculated black and white wings are present here too.

3. 3

   Orbital Ring

   Note the prominent orange-yellow orbital ring in males and the duller yellow to grayish ring in females. This contrasts with the dark eye.

4. 4

   Vocalization

   Listen for the characteristic soft, mournful, and often accelerating 'cur-cur-cur-cur-cur' song. This is often the first indication of its presence.

5. 5

   Perching Behavior

   Trogons typically perch upright and motionless for extended periods in the mid-story of the forest, making them difficult to spot despite their bright colors.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, secondary forests, forest edges, and mature woodlands.

Geographic range

Southeastern Brazil (from Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais south to Rio Grande do Sul), eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina (Misiones province).

Elevation range

Typically found from sea level up to 1,800 meters (5,900 feet).

Preferred environments

Prefers the mid-story and understory of humid broadleaf forests, often near clearings or along forest edges. Can adapt to disturbed forests and even well-wooded suburban areas.

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 cicadas, beetles, caterpillars, and orthopterans, which they typically sally-glean from foliage or branches. They also consume a significant amount of fruit, especially berries and small drupes, often hovering briefly to pluck them.

Social behavior

Generally solitary or found in pairs. They are not known to form flocks.

Flight pattern

Flight is typically short, direct, and undulating, often between perches. They are not strong fliers and prefer to glide or make short bursts of flight.

Migration pattern

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

Territoriality

Pairs are territorial, especially during the breeding season, defending their nesting and foraging areas.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Varies geographically, but generally from September to February in the southern parts of its range (e.g., Argentina) and October to March in Brazil.

Nesting habits

Nests in cavities, typically excavated in decaying tree trunks, stumps, or arboreal termitaria. Both sexes participate in excavating the nest chamber.

Clutch size

2-3 eggs.

Egg description

Typically 2-3 eggs, pure white, glossy, and elliptical to oval in shape.

Incubation period

Approximately 17-19 days.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge around 17-20 days after hatching.

Parental care

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

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for calls. Their distinctive song is often the easiest way to locate them. Once heard, try to pinpoint the direction and scan the mid-story.
2. Scan the mid-story. Trogons tend to perch motionless for long periods. Use binoculars to carefully scan branches and foliage in the middle layers of the forest.
3. Look for movement. While often still, they will occasionally sally out to catch an insect or pluck a fruit. Watch for these brief movements.
4. Patience is key. Trogons are notoriously difficult to spot due to their cryptic behavior. Be patient and persistent.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Insects and fruits

Habitat:

Atlantic Forest, humid woodlands

Status:

Least Concern

Key Feature (Male):

Red belly, iridescent blue-green head/back, white breast band

Key Feature (Female):

Reddish-orange belly, gray head, olive-brown back, white breast band

Fun facts

• Trogons have heterodactyl feet, meaning two toes point forward and two point backward, which is unique among birds and helps them grip tree bark.
• Despite their bright colors, Surucua Trogons are often difficult to spot due to their habit of perching motionless for long periods, blending into the dappled light of the forest.
• Their diet shifts seasonally, with a higher proportion of insects during the breeding season to provide protein for growing chicks, and more fruit when available.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Trogoniformes

Family

Trogonidae

Genus

Trogon

Species

Trogon surrucura

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