Pharomachrus auriceps
golden-headed quetzal

Pharomachrus auriceps, also known as golden-headed quetzals, inhabits regions of Central and South America spanning from the Darién province of Panama to Northern Bolivia. ("Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)

Pharomachrus auriceps lives in moist mountainous forest areas ranging from 1,000 to 3,300 m elevation. They seek out rotted, standing trees to excavate nest cavities. They prefer areas of dense vegetation to conceal the nesting cavity as well as themselves. ("Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)

Pharomachrus auriceps are recognized for their bright iridescent green body and wings, like other members of the genus Pharomachrus. They weigh between 154 and 182 g with a wingspan of 30 to 36 cm. Their remiges are darker metallic green, and the retrices of the tail are black, occasionally with white tips. The tail is covered by dark green feathers, which are slightly longer in the males. Tail length ranges from 155 to 177 mm in males and 157 to 172 mm in females. The breast and belly of both sexes are covered with brilliant red feathers. The male has a coppery-green colored head and throat, while the female’s head plumage is a duller golden-brown color. The males are distinguishable from other quetzal species because they lack a crest of head feathers. They have short, broad bills that are yellow in the males and a darker brown color in the females. Unlike many of the trogons, the maxilla of their beaks do not have serrated edges.

Both males and females have dark olive green or brownish legs and feet. Like other trogons, they have heterodactyl feet, with the first and second toes facing backwards and the third and fourth toes facing forward. When immature, both sexes are dark brown or black, with a few iridescent green feathers starting to grow. Younger golden-headed quetzals lack the ornamental wing and tail coverts of the adult birds. ("Pilco o Quetzal Cabeza Dorada", 2006; "Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)

Pharomachrus auriceps lives in seasonal monogamous pairs and males attract potential mates by singing. ("Brooding behaviour and nestling description of the Golden-headed Quetzal", 2008)

Pharomachrus auriceps nest in unlined tree cavities, excavated by the adults. Females lay 1 or 2 blue eggs once yearly between February and June. Incubation lasts for 18 to 20 days, and chicks fledge 25 to 30 days after hatching. Juveniles reach sexual maturity at 2 years old. ("Brooding behaviour and nestling description of the Golden-headed Quetzal", 2008; "Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)

The parents often carve a hole with their beaks into a rotting tree trunk to form a nest cavity. If there is already a hollow spot in an old tree, they will modify it to make their nest. Both males and females alternate brooding. During the first week, the male spends more time brooding but after the initial seven days the female broods more frequently. During the initial week after the eggs hatch, the parents collectively spend 70 to 84 percent of the day brooding. However, after about two weeks, the parents spend less than 20 percent of their day at the nest. This decrease in brooding time likely corresponds to the initial altricial state of chicks, which slowly develop enough feathers to insulate themselves. Adults clean the nest by carrying away excrement and regurgitated food matter. Both parents bring insects and fruit to the nest to feed the young. ("Brooding behaviour and nestling description of the Golden-headed Quetzal", 2008; "Pilco o Quetzal Cabeza Dorada", 2006; "Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)

Due to the golden-headed quetzal’s elusive nature, little is known about its lifespan. The Houston Zoo is the only zoo with P. auriceps in captivity, but there is no information regarding its lifespan. ("Golden-headed Quetzal", 2003)

Golden-headed quetzals are solitary birds except during breeding season, in which they form monogamous pairs. They sometimes migrate to lower elevations during the wet season, between May and October. They are very arboreal and rarely land on the ground. They fly short distances from branch to branch using rapid and powerful wingbeats in a rising and falling flight pattern. ("Birds of Venezuela", 2003)

Pharomachrus auriceps is usually quiet, but sometimes communicates with “giggling” vocalizations or horse-like whinnies. Its typical call is a melancholy, hawk-like whistle which sounds like “we-wheeoo, we-wheeoo”. Like all birds, Pharomachrus auriceps perceives its environment through visual, auditory, tactile, and chemical stimuli. ("Brooding behaviour and nestling description of the Golden-headed Quetzal", 2008; Restall, et al., 2006; Ridgely and Gwynne, 1989)

The majority of Pharomachrus auriceps's diet consists of pulpy fruits and berries, but they will also eat insects, including smooth-skinned caterpillars, beetles, and locusts. They occasionally will eat small vertebrates such as frogs and lizards. Golden-headed quetzals in captivity at the Houston Zoo were observed eating chopped baby mice, mealworms, and dog chow when they were offered, although they preferred fruit. ("Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)

Like other quetzals, Pharomachrus auriceps flies to escape danger, and its iridescent green color provides camouflage in its verdant habitat. ("Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)

There is no specific information for the ecosystem roles of Pharomachrus auriceps. However, birds with frugivorous diets are often important seed dispersers.

Quetzals were renowned as mythical creatures by the Aztecs, who associated them with the avian god Quetzalcoatyl. Today, quetzals such as P. auriceps are important for ecotourism in developing nations, drawing birdwatchers from all over the globe who hope to get a glimpse of their legendary beauty. ("The Myth of Quetzalcoatl", 1999)

There are no known adverse affects of P. auriceps on humans.

Although P. auriceps are currently of least concern, their rainforest habitat is being destroyed by deforestation in South America. ("IUCN Red List of Threatened Species", 2009; "Trogons and Quetzals of the World", 2000)