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Trogonidae:
The trogons and quetzals are birds in the order Trogoniformes which contains only one family, the Trogonidae. Alternatively, they might constitute a member of the basal radiation of the order Coraciiformes (Johansson & Ericson, 2003). The word "trogon" is Greek for "nibbling" and refers to the fact that these birds gnaw holes in trees to make their nests. Trogons are residents of tropical forests worldwide, with the greatest diversity in Central and in South America. The genus Apaloderma contains the few African species, and Harpactes the Asian. The rest are neotropical. They feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons do not migrate. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. They nest in holes in trees or termite nests, laying white or pastel coloured eggs.
Trogons in the genera Pharomachrus and Euptilotis are called "quetzals”. |
