Fauna
Bird

Elegant Trogon

Trogon elegans

Also known as Coppery-tailed Trogon

Elegant trogons inhabit pine-oak woodlands and humid canyons, where adult males display striking emerald-green upperparts, a bright red belly, and a crisp white breast band. Their distinctive, dog-like croaking call often echoes through forested ravines long before the bird itself is spotted perching motionless on mid-canopy branches. They nest in natural tree cavities or old woodpecker holes, raising chicks on a rich diet of large insects and wild canopy fruits.

ColorfulForest BirdCavity Nester
Elegant Trogon reference
dominic sherony / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyCaterpillars, Cicadas, Wild berries
Predators
  • Hawks
  • Owls
  • Snakes
ThreatsDeforestation, forest degradation, and human disturbance near nest sites
HabitatsPine-oak woodlands, sycamore canyons, and tropical dry forests
Life span5–10 years
Classification
  1. OrderTrogoniformes
  2. FamilyTrogonidae
  3. GenusTrogon
  4. SpeciesTrogon elegans
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for the metallic green back, vivid red underparts, white chest stripe, and undertail fine black-and-white barring.
Support conservation
Refrain from using audio playback calls to attract birds and keep well clear of nesting holes.
Responsible observation
  • Listen First: Learn its low, husky barking call to locate perching birds in dense foliage.
  • Maintain Distance: Keep a respectful distance from active nest cavities during the breeding season.
  • Scan Mid-Canopy: Search horizontal branches where individuals sit still for long stretches between feeding sallies.
Related species
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