Elegant trogon

Elegant trogon
Male
Female
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)(elegans)[1]
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)(ambiguus)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Trogoniformes
Family:	Trogonidae
Genus:	Trogon
Species:	T. elegans
Binomial name
Trogon elegans Gould, 1834
Synonyms
Trogon ambiguus Gould, 1835

The elegant trogon (Trogon elegans), previously known as the coppery-tailed trogon, is a near passerine bird in the trogon family native to Central America.^[3] The etymology of the word trogon comes from the Greek word trōgein, meaning "to gnaw",^[4] which describes how this species prepares its nests in trees.

T. elegans has five recognized subspecies, including the nominate subspecies:^[3]

• T. e. elegans Gould, 1834
• T. e. ambiguus Gould, 1835
• T. e. canescens Van Rossem, 1934
• T. e. goldmani Nelson, 1898
• T. e. lubricus J. L. Peters, 1945

BirdLife International and Handbook of the Birds of the World consider T. e. ambiguus to be its own species, as Trogon ambiguus, with Trogon elegans sensu stricto being the Central American population. The IUCN Red List follows this taxonomy, but Avibase and Clements do not.^[2][5]

Phylogenetic research suggests a monophyly with T. rufus, T. mexicanus, T. personatus, T. aurantiiventris, and T. collaris. The distribution of their ancestors was restricted to the new world. However, the presence of trogons in the old world has led to debate on their true origin, which remains unknown to this day.^[6]

This species is a medium-sized bird, measuring 28–30 centimetres (11–12 in) long and weighing 60–78 grams (2.1–2.8 oz) (average 68 grams (2.4 oz)). Like other trogons, elegant trogons display sexual dimorphism, where males and females have different plumages.

Males are often brightly colored. They have red-orange lower chest and belly and metallic deep green back. They get their old name from the copper shade on their backsides. Their face and throat are a dark black and they have a white band going across the chest. Their upperwings are grey and their long square tipped tail feathers are usually brown on the upper side and white undertail with and black horizontal stripes.^[7] The color on the upper part of the tail may very amongst subspecies.

Females and immature males look similar. They have the same patterns as mature males, but they have different colorations. Their coloration is duller, usually a brownish grey, and they have a white ring around their eyes.

The elegant trogon is listed as endangered in the state of New Mexico. It prefers to live in conditions that would favor the presence of pine oak woodlands and local water making it particularly susceptible to disturbance.^[8]

However, according to the IUCN red list, the elegant trogon is listed as being of least concern, as of 2020. Although population trends are declining, there is no sign that the species in threatened or endangered in most of its habitat.^[9]

Interactions between individuals is not rare. Research found that other than producing calls, tail movement was also a method of communication amongst individuals. Tail rising could be a sign of dominance or aggression to communicate status, or associated with mating. Another use of tail raising when its done in the presence of other species is typically done in the presence of predators, as an alarm or deterrent to let the predator know that it has been spotted and should give up the chase.^[10]

The usual call is a croaking "co-ah co-ah co-ah". The trogon will also include some chattering notes. Males tend to be more vocal than females.^[11]

In males, the amount of calls did not vary according to the seasons, but in females, call frequencies during incubation periods were higher compared to during feeding season.^[12]

The elegant trogon is a frugivore and insectivore, meaning they consume fruits and insects. Their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Their diet consists of grapes, cherries, figs, chokecherry, and buckthorn as well as grasshoppers, mantids, caterpillars, moths and beetles.^[13] Very occasionally it will also prey upon small vertebrates, usually lizards.^[14]

Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. They typically perch upright and motionless. To hunt their prey, they remain motionless on a perch, then jump into flight. To grab fruits, they will hover over the berries to pluck them ^[14][15]

It nests 2–6 metres (7–20 ft) high in an unlined shallow cavity, usually selecting an old flicker hole, with a typical clutch of two to three eggs. Incubation periods last an average of 17 days with both parents taking turns to incubate.

Elegant trogons display biparental care, where both the males and females are responsible of taking care of their offspring. Both parents take responsibility for delivering food to their young. Usually, they would offer insects, rather than fruits. Both parents feed their offspring until a month after they fledge. Once that happens, the adults will split their broods, with males taking the males and females taking the females.^[11][12]

Along with the eared quetzal, it is the northernmost species of trogon in the world. The species is endemic to Central America, ranging from Guatemala in the south as far north as the upper Gila River in Arizona and New Mexico. Elegant trogons are short distance migrators, usually only getting as north as Arizona, where they spend the breeding season.^[11] The most northerly populations of the subspecies T. e. ambiguus are partially migratory,^[16] and the species is occasionally found as a vagrant in southeasternmost and western Texas. It is a resident of the lower levels of semi-arid open woodlands and forests.

The elegant trogon is fond of dry, arid woodlands. It can be found in pine forests, deciduous forests, second growth forests and around scrubs. The elegant trogon is not fond of humid regions, and chooses to live on hillsides near cliff edges.^[17]

In Arizona, they are present in canyons covered with riparian and edge vegetation. Plants such as junipers, oaks, sycamores, and Pinus edulis can be a good indication of suitability for the trogon.^[13]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Trogon elegans.

• Elegant trogon calls and songs
• Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter