Bird Guide

Golden-headed Quetzal vs Resplendent Quetzal

Golden-headed Quetzal (Pharomachrus auriceps)

Golden-headed Quetzal

Pharomachrus auriceps

Medium180 gForest

The golden-headed quetzal weighs between 154-182g. It has a wingspan of 30–36 cm and a length of 33–36 cm with tail plumes adding another 8–10 cm. Like other members of the genus Pharomachrus, the golden-headed quetzal is known for its iridescent golden-green wings and breast, which can appear blue depending on the light. The female's breast is a duller brownish colour; her head is also a duller golden-brown when compared to the male's gold-bronze head, from which the species name is derived. Their bills are short and broad; they appear yellow in males and a brownish greyish in females. Voice: The golden-headed quetzal is a quiet bird, often sitting quietly motionless for long periods of time. When it does vocalize, its far-carrying call is very distinctive, sounding like mournful, hawk-like whistles, repeated 6-8 times ("whe-wheeu, whe-wheuu, whe-wheeu…"). Its other calls are a horse-like whinnying ("why-dy-dy-dy-dyyrrr", "hoo-whoooooy") and a throaty melancholy "ka-kaaaur".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Golden-headed Quetzal
Recorded by Niels Krabbe · Call, flight call · Zamora-Chinchipe: Reserva Tapichalaca, near Q. Cristopher Parson, Ecuador · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joao Quental from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil · CC BY 2.0
Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)

Resplendent Quetzal

Pharomachrus mocinno

Medium202 gForest

The resplendent quetzal is the largest trogon. It is 36 to 40 cm (14–16 in) long; in the nominate subspecies, the tail streamers measure between 31 cm (12 in) and 100.5 cm (39.6 in), with the median being 75 cm (30 in) for males. The nominate subspecies weighs about 210 g (7.4 oz), while the subspecies costaricensis is slightly smaller than the nominate race, with shorter wings and bills. The tail plumes are shorter and narrower, measuring between 32 cm (13 in) and 86 cm (34 in), with the median being 63 cm (25 in).

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Golden-headed Quetzal and Resplendent Quetzal.