One of the most elegant and enchanting members of the trogon family — a bird that seems like it stepped out of a storybook. Found in the montane forests of the Andes, from Venezuela and Colombia down through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, this trogon is known for its striking colors, quiet charm, and that unmistakable “mask” of dark feathers around its eyes and face, which gives it its name.

The masked trogon is most often found sitting motionless in cool, mossy cloud forests at elevations ranging from about 1,000 to 3,000 meters (3,300–9,800 feet). This stillness is a trogon trademark — they perch upright and almost statue-like, scanning for insects and fruit, then launch into short, quiet flights to snatch their food. Despite their bright colors, their calm behavior and perfect camouflage often make them surprisingly difficult to spot, even when they’re close by.

Like other trogons, masked trogons have heterodactyl feet — a toe arrangement unique to trogons where the first and second toes point backward, and the third and fourth point forward. This helps them cling to branches vertically with precision, even on narrow twigs or mossy trunks. They also have large, dark eyes, perfect for seeing in the dim, filtered light of the Andean forest understory.

Their vocalizations are another special feature — the masked trogon has a soft, low-pitched, repetitive “whoop” or “whoo-hoo” call, often heard at dawn and dusk. It’s a haunting, flute-like sound that seems to float through the fog and vines of their mountain home. You’re more likely to hear them before you see them.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bolivia

2024

Brazil

2024

Colombia

2024

Ecuador

2024

Guyana

2024

Peru

2024

Venezuela

2024