Citreoline Trogon, Trogon citreolus

Citreoline Trogon, Trogon citreolus. Photographs taken in the greater Zihuantanejo area, Guerrero, March 2018. Photographs courtesy of Ron Woheau, Zihuantanejo.

Citreoline Trogon, Trogon citreolus. Photographs taken within the greater Copala, Sinaloa, April 2022. Photographs and identifications courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos.

Background and Identification

The Citreoline Trogon, Trogon citreolus, is a member of the Trogonidae Family of Trogons. Males are easily identified by their bright yellow belly, the most likely reason for their naming. This species is most common in Oaxaca, Mexico, and is sedentary within its range. In Mexico, it is known as Trogón Citrino.

 They are mid-sized in stature, with an average length of 27 cm (10.6 inches). A sexually dimorphic species, males and females exhibit different morphological characteristics and plumage color. Males exhibit a citrine-yellow belly, which contrasts with their iridescent green back, dark blue-black head, and white undertail with black barring. Females are less colorful,  with a grayish-brown head, chest, and back, and a similarly bright yellow belly. Both sexes have a stout, curved bill, and a white line in front of the eye. This species is often spotted perched motionless, making short flights to catch insects or fruit.

Habitat and Geographical Range

The Citroeline Trogon inhabits arid and semi-arid woodland habitats, mangroves, and plantations. They are found in a wide variety of elevations, from higher open woodland to low coastal jungles and humid forests. They consume seasonally available berries, fruits, and insects in these areas.

The Citreoline Trogon is an ENDEMIC species of Mexico.  Within Mexico, they are found within the Pacific Slope from Sonora to Guatemala at elevations below 1,000 m (3,300 feet). Their geographical range is in the western part of Mexico, and they have been sighted and photographed as far south as Oaxaca. This species is nonmigratory, remaining within the same range throughout the year.

Common Misidentifications

The Citreoline Trogon can be confused with the Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegan, a species whose range overlaps into the Mexican range of the Citreoline. However, the Elegant Trogon lacks a bright yellow belly and has a more extensive red-orange lower breast and belly. Another possible confusion might occur with the Black-headed Trogon, Trogon melanocephalus, but this species typically has a darker head and lacks the white undertail barring seen in the Citreoline Trogon. The Black-headed Trogon is found in Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and some areas of southern Mexico.

Conservation Perspective

From a conservation perspective the Citreoline Trogon is currently considered to be of Least Concern and has a stable population in the entirety of its geographical range.  Conservation efforts should focus on protecting the tropical deciduous forests of Mexico and other habitats where the Citreoline Trogon lives.