Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #62

By Jim Gain

8/11/2023

  • Scientific Name: Trogon caligatus
  • Name in Spanish (Mexico): Coa Violácea Norteña
  • ABA 4-Letter Bird Code: GATR
  • Family: Trogonidae – Trogons
  • Order: Trogoniformes – Trogons
Gartered Trogon Image © Jim Gain

About this Species

The Gartered Trogon is a stunning bird species found in Belize, which is located in Central America. These birds are known for their striking plumage, which features a bright yellow belly, green back, and black and white striped tails. The males and females are quite similar in appearance, although the females tend to have a slightly duller coloration.

Gartered Trogon Image © Jim Gain

In terms of distribution, the Gartered Trogon can be found throughout much of Central America, including Belize. They are typically found in forested areas, particularly in lowland and foothill forests. These birds are also known to inhabit second-growth forests, as well as areas with dense vegetation.

Gartered Trogon Image © Jim Gain

As for their natural history, Gartered Trogons are known to be relatively sedentary birds. They are primarily insectivores, feeding on a variety of insects, including grasshoppers, beetles, and butterflies. These birds also consume fruits and seeds, particularly during the non-breeding season. In terms of breeding, Gartered Trogons typically form monogamous pairs, with the male building a nest cavity in a tree trunk or branch. The female then lays 2-3 eggs, which are incubated by both parents for approximately 16 days.

>> Next Post on Sunday, 8/13/2023 – Hooded Warbler

Previous posts from Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog

2 responses to “Gartered Trogon”

  1. Alex Leonard Avatar

    We are so lucky to live in a world that has such beauty.

  2. Birder's Journey Avatar

    Agreed! Absolutely stunning!

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Next Post

ABOUT THE SITE

With a primary focus on birds, each blog series has it’s own unique look at the wildlife and wild places encountered at different locations that I have visited around the world.

ABOUT ME

I earned my college degree in biology, a foundation that shaped not only how I see the world, but how I’ve spent my life sharing it with others. For more than 40 years, I taught and led in public education, helping students discover the wonder woven into every corner of the natural world. That same drive has carried me through decades of citizen science and conservation work. As an active member of the Modesto Camera Club, I’ve developed a photographic practice that blends natural history with visual artistry, and my award‑winning images have been featured across the Internet on dozens of sites and field‑oriented platforms. This blog brings together my passions for birding, conservation, and storytelling.

~ Jim Gain