Green-backed Trogon (Trogon viridis)

Identification & Behavior: ~28.5 cm (11.2 in). The Green-backed Trogon is the largest yellow-bellied Amazonian trogon. Males are dark iridescent blue in the head and breast, iridescent green in the back, and have blue-gray bill and orbital skin. Males have large white tail tips giving the impression of having a white underside of the tail. Females are dusky-gray and have gray-blue orbital skin and bill; the culmen is dusky. Females have white-barred underside of the tail with white terminal spots. Among the other yellow-bellied trogons, Amazonian Trogon is much smaller and males have white-barred underside of the tail. Black-throated Trogon is also smaller, iridescent green in the head, breast, and back, and has white-barred underside of the tail. Females Black-throated Trogons are brown.

Status: Uncommon to common is floodplain forest and old second growth in Amazonia. It reaches elevations of up to 1350 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Trogón de Dorso Verde.

Sub-species: Green-backed Trogon (Trogon viridis viridis) Linnaeus, 1766.

Meaning of Name: Trogon: Gr. Trogo= gobble, nibble, chew. Viridis: L. green. A green trogon. In reference to this species’ back color.

See more of the Family Troognidae