Golden-headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps)

Order: Trogoniformes | Family: Trogonidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

golden-headed_quetzal
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Satipo, Peru

golden-headed_quetzal
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Southeast, Peru

golden-headed_quetzal
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Southeast, Peru

golden-headed_quetzal
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Southeast, Peru


Identification & Behavior: ~34.5 cm (13.5 in). Adult males Golden-headed Quezal are iridescent green with a golden cast to their heads, bright red bellies, and yellow bill. Females are similar but have a dusky head, dusky bill, and gray in the breast. Both sexes have black underside of the tail. The Golden-headed Quetzal is distinguished from the similar Crested Quetzal by a black undertail, contrasting head and back colors, and a lack of a crest.

Status: The Golden-headed Quetzal is uncommon to fairly common at elevations ranging from 1200 to 3000 m along the east slope of the Andes. It is also found in the humid west slope of the Andes south to Cajamarca. Overlaps with Crested Quetzal, which is generally found at a lower elevation. Not known to overlap with similar Pavonine Quetzal of the Amazonian Lowlands. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Quetzal de Cabeza Dorada.

Sub-species: Golden-headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps auriceps) (Gould, 1842).

Meaning of Name: Pharomachrus: Gr. Pharos= mantle and makros = long. auriceps: L. Aurum=  gold, ceps= crowned, headed. A quetzal with a golden head.

.See more of the Family Trogonidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
Golden-headed Quetzal Voice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 11/09/2014.