Trogons tend to sit upright with tail pointed
vertically downward. They remain still and so are often
overlooked. The easiest way to spot one is to look for
its swooping flight, during which the bird flashes its
bright plumage, and note where it lands. Most trogons
vocalize throughout the day, often a repetitive cow, cow,
cow, or caow, caow, caow, varying, of course, from one
species to another. Sometimes the note sounds harsh,
but in some species it is softly whistled and melodious.
A good way to see a trogon at close range is to try to
imitate its call. If the imitation is accurate, trogons
may come close, with their characteristic swooping
flight, to investigate. Some species are common along
rain forest edges or successional areas. Look for their
characteristic upright shape perched in cecropia trees.
Trogons are cavity nesters. Some species excavate
nest holes in decaying trees; others dig into termite
mounds. The Gartered Trogon (Trogon caligatus;
plate 15- 18) utilizes large wasp nests, after carefully
removing and consuming the resident wasps. The
species also utilizes termite mounds as nests.Plate 15- 17. Male Masked Trogon (Trogon personatus), perched
in typical trogon posture, upright on a branch. This species
is found throughout northwestern South America. Photo by
Gina Nichol.Plate 15- 18. The Gartered Trogon, is one of the yellow-
breasted trogons. It ranges from Mexico through Central
America and into northern South America. Also called the
Northern Violaceous Trogon, it was formerly considered a
subspecies of Violaceous Trogon (Trogon violaceus). A male is
pictured. Photo by Gina Nichol.Plate 15- 19. Male Resplendent Quetzal, in all its splendor.
Photo by Gina Nichol.chapter 15 neotropical birds: the bustling crowd 269