Black-throated trogon

Appearance

Like most trogons, it has distinctive male and female plumages and with soft colourful feathers. This relatively small species is 23–24 cm long and weighs 54-57 g, with a white undertail with black barring, a yellow bill and wing coverts which are vermiculated with black and white, but appear grey at any distance. The male black-throated trogon has a green head, upper breast and back, black face and throat, and golden yellow belly. The female has a brown head, upper breast and back, rufous upper tail and yellow belly. Immatures resemble the adults but are duller, and young males have a brown throat, breast and wing coverts.

Behavior

The call is a churring ''krrrrrr'', and the song is a typical trogon series of a few clear whistles, ''cuh cuh cuh cuh''.

Their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. They typically perch upright and motionless.

Habitat

It is a resident of the lower levels of damp tropical forests, and prefers the deep shade of the understory.

Reproduction

The black-throated trogon nests 1–6 m high in an unlined shallow cavity, with a typical clutch of two white eggs.

Food

Black-throated trogons feed mainly on arthropods as well as some fruit, often taken in flight; they are one of the most insectivorous trogon species of their range. They opportunistically catch arthropods that have been startled by other predators, such as coatis.