Ever Heard of The Trogon?
Published by The Trogon – it sounds like a species of alien out of Star Trek or Doctor Who. However, this family of somewhat overlooked birds has its roots very firmly on planet Earth. If asked to list bird families, where would the Trogonidae be on your list? Chances are, way down or not at all. However, these exquisite birds are well worth a look. Here are ten of the thirty nine species.
Considering that they have been around for forty nine million years, it is surprising that the Trogons are such little known species. Perhaps it is time they changed their agent. Where did they get their strange name from? Its roots, like so many other words, are in the Greek language. Trogon is the Greek for ‘nibbling’ and this may well be something of an understatement. These birds literally gnaw holes in trees in the forests in which they live in order to create an environment suitable for nesting. The Sumatran variety, above, is found only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, making its home in the tropical moist forest there.
Being part of the same family of birds does not mean that the species within it stick to similar plumage. The variety is amazing. The wonderfully named Elegant Trogon can be found in Arizona down to Costa Rica. When it gets lost it is sighted sometimes in Texas. It loves semi-arid woodlands and, contrary to its name, doesn’t particularly go for nibbling itself, preferring to let woodpeckers do it for them – more often than not it will choose an abandoned woodpecker hole. The lovely orangey-red of the male’s belly makes it a striking addition to the environment which it inhabits. Broad bills and rather spindly legs give away its arboreal predilections. They can fly fast when necessary but are generally not too keen to fly too far.
The Violacious species which occurs in the Amazon Basin (but can also be found on Trinidad) sometimes chooses to lay its eggs in a wasp or termite nest though it will also head for a hole in a tree if it can find one. They lay two or three white eggs and to feed their chicks they will forage insects and small fruit. Like other Trogons they live in forest and – typical of the family as a whole – when they perch they remain motionless.
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13 Responses to “Ever Heard of The Trogon?”
On December 12, 2009 at 8:14 am
Thanks RJ, had never heard of these beautiful birds before!
On December 14, 2009 at 11:52 am
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On March 11, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Wow, this is absolutely amazing! They are so beautiful!
On March 15, 2010 at 8:28 am
Beautiful!
On March 15, 2010 at 8:28 am
Interesting article. And very nice use of pictures!!
Best regards,
Anders W Hegelune
On March 15, 2010 at 8:28 am
A lovely bird and great article!!
On March 15, 2010 at 8:29 am
I actually had heard of them, because as a boy I was particularly fond of birds and had loads of books on them. Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures.
On March 15, 2010 at 8:29 am
Wonderful research on this nice species
On March 15, 2010 at 8:29 am
Nothing like drinking some hot tea and reading a good article on a day like this … and great pics, too!
On March 15, 2010 at 8:30 am
Unusual birds. Nice pictures.
On March 15, 2010 at 8:31 am
As best as always
On March 15, 2010 at 8:35 am
Excellent . Never heard or seen them and here they are . Beautiful images and great narrative. You have a knack for informative , entertaining writing sir!
On March 15, 2010 at 11:01 am
I like the very last bird in the list.
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