Birds
Collared Trogon
Trogon collaris
Perched almost perfectly still, a collared trogon reveals a narrow white band across the chest separating its iridescent green back from a bold red belly, breaking its stillness only for brief, sudden sallies after insects and fruit.
Overview
The collared trogon, Trogon collaris, is a Least Concern bird found across Neotropical forest from Mexico through Central America and much of South America. Its vivid green-and-red plumage, distinctive white chest collar, and habit of sitting motionless between brief feeding flights make it one of the more visually striking yet easily overlooked birds of the Neotropics.
Stillness as a strategy
Much of the collared trogon’s day is spent sitting upright and nearly motionless on a shaded perch, a habit that, despite its bright plumage, can make the bird surprisingly easy to miss until it suddenly darts out to snatch an insect or piece of fruit.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable forest habitat throughout its extensive Neotropical range.
Collared Trogon: common questions
Why is it called the collared trogon?
Males show a narrow white band across the upper chest, resembling a collar, that separates the green head and back from the red belly below.
What does the collared trogon eat?
It is an omnivore, eating both insects and fruit, typically caught or plucked during brief sallying flights from a perch before returning to the same spot.
Why is the collared trogon hard to spot despite its bright colours?
It sits upright and nearly motionless for long stretches, often within shaded forest canopy, which can make its otherwise vivid plumage surprisingly easy to overlook.
Where is the collared trogon found?
It ranges across a broad stretch of Neotropical forest from Mexico through Central America and much of South America.