Photo by George Wall

Description:  The male Elegant Trogon has a metallic deep green head, upper breast and back, black face and throat, and red-orange lower breast and belly. He shows grey upper wing coverts. It has a stout yellow bill and a square tipped tail. 

Habitat: They like open woodland like pine-oak and sycamores trees. Here in Arizona, you can find them in places like Madera Canyon and Cave Creek where they can move through the woodlands up and down the canyons along streams. They can fly fast, but are reluctant to fly any great distance. They typically perch upright and motionless. 

Diet: Elegant Trogons feed on insects, often taken in flight, and fruit. Their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. 

Range: Their range is from S.E. Arizona (where they breed) down into Costa Rica where they also breed. Sometimes they can be found in S.E. Western Texas. 

Breeding: They like to nest sycamore tree cavities, abandoned woodpecker holes and earthen banks. They line the nest with straw and anything else that is soft. They lay two-four eggs. 

Fascinating Facts: The Greek "trogon" means gnawer and describes the Elegant Trogon’s hefty, serrated bill. Like owls, they can see in low light and turn their heads through nearly 360 degrees. They were once called the “Coppery-tailed” Trogon.