SE Arizona – Wings over Sky Islands Blog Post #1

With perhaps the greatest biological diversity in the entire US, many seasoned birders believe Southeast Arizona to be the top birding destination. Habitats range from the Desert Scrub at lower elevations to Riparian Oases and pine forests of the dramatic “sky islands.” The intent of this blog is for followers to learn about the natural history of these interesting winged creatures.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Southeast Arizona is home to the endangered Elegant Trogon. It is one of the most sought-after species by bird watchers in the United States and only regularly breeds in the Atascosa, Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita mountain ranges in Arizona. The habitat needs of the trogon are essentially unknown1. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has classified the bird as a “Candidate IV” sensitive species.

A wide range of insects, particularly large ones like katydids, cicadas, walkingsticks, and huge caterpillars, are consumed by the Elegant Trogon during its feeding period. Additionally, it eats little lizards. The trogon consumes a variety of other tiny fruits and berries, particularly in the late summer and early fall, including chokecherry and wild grape.

When nesting in Arizona, Elegant Trogons behave differently from other Neotropical Trogonidae members. Insects are fed to the nestlings instead of fruit.

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