General

Eared Quetzal: Small headed with long, broad tail. Black head, black-green back and breast, black-blue tail. Bright red belly, dark bill. Female has gray head, throat, and breast, shows less red on belly.

Range and Habitat

Eared Quetzal: Found in mountainous woodlands and canyons of western Mexico. Occasionally found in canyons of southeast Arizona, one record from central Arizona.

Breeding and Nesting

Eared Quetzal: Monogamous and solitary. Both adults excavate or use pre-existing cavity in tree or snag. Female lays two pale blue eggs. Incubation by both sexes, 17 to 21 days. Altricial young tended to by both adults, fledge after 15 to 31 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Eared Quetzal: Sits motionless for extended periods of time. Sallies to snatch insects from vegetation or on the wing. Also eats fruit, particularly madrone berries. Occasionaly takes small vertebrates.

Vocalization

Eared Quetzal: Call high and shrill, ascending with distinct chuck at end "kweeeeeeee-chk." Song a lengthy whistle that rises in pitch and volume "fwee, fwee, fwee, feEErk, fwEErk."

Similar Species

Eared Quetzal: Elegant Trogon is only superficially similar, with pale yellow bill, red eye ring, white breast band, and brown tail with black tip. Elegant Trogon is also smaller and slimmer.