Reflections of the Natural World

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RESPLENDENT QUETZAL – Pura Vida Birds and Birding

Published by

Jim Gain

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@ Restaurant Alma de Arbol, San José, Costa Rica

Birds & Birding in Costa Rica: – Costa Rica’s national motto and tourism slogan, “La Pura Vida” loosely translates to Live Life or Enjoy Life. With over 900 bird species recorded in Costa Rica, there is certainly lots to enjoy! With 12 of the world’s 18 life zones, its diverse landscapes, including tropical rainforests, cloud forests, mangroves, and savannas, provide habitat for a wide range of iconic birds A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

BIRDS & BIRDING IN COSTA RICA WEBSITE LINK

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

RESPLENDENT QUETZAL – (Species Account Blog #100)

TAXONOMIC TREE:  

  • ORDER: Trogoniformes,
  • FAMILY: Trogonidae, Trogons
  • BINOMIAL NAME: Pharomachrus mocinno

Across time and cultures, the Resplendent Quetzal has been heralded for its great beauty. With an iridescent green sheen and uppertail covert feathers longer than its entire body, the bird has attracted much attention from pre-Columbian peoples, ornithologists, collectors, market hunters, and birders. (from Birds of the World)

SIMILAR SPECIES

The bushy crest (due to elongated feathers of the crown and nape) of both sexes of the Resplendent Quetzal and the extremely long tail coverts of the male make the species unique in its family. No other quetzal species overlaps with the Resplendent Quetzal in its range.

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION

Resplendent Quetzal Distribution Map (from Birds of the World)

PERSONAL OBSERVATION ANECDOTES

In Costa Rica we observed 3 Resplendent Quetzals in 2 different locations. The first two were on purpose and after a very long, uphill walk in the Copay hills. The second sighting was a very fortuitous encounter while eating lunch at the Alma de Arbol Restaurant.

PHOTO GALLERY

**Some of these Photo Gallery images (all taken by me) have been taken in other nearby countries.

Our first view @ Via sin nombre Copey, San José; Costa Rica
@ Restaurant Alma de Arbol, San José, Costa Rica
@ Restaurant Alma de Arbol, San José, Costa Rica
@ Restaurant Alma de Arbol, San José, Costa Rica

RECENT BLOG POSTS

View the five most recent Birds & Birding in Costa Rica series blog posts below.

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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

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