Many pre-Columbian cultures revered the Resplendent Quetzal as a heavenly bird. To the ancient Aztecs and Maya, the Quetzal was “God of the Air,” a sign of righteousness and light, and its death was punishable by death. This species is Guatemala’s national bird.
Several myths include the Resplendent Quetzal, whose name has the connotations of “precious,” “holy,” and “erected” in Mesoamerican tongues.
The Resplendent Quetzal may be found in humid evergreen forests, where it can usually be seen sitting high in the trees. They are mostly a frugivore, mainly eating the fruit of Lauraceae plants. However, it also necessitates the presence of certain invertebrates like beetles and their larvae, flies, orthopterans, moths, and tiny vertebrates like lizards, frogs, and snails.
Distribution
Costa Rica
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
Mexico
Nicaragua
PanamaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
