Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegans

Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegans. Photograph taken within a residential community in Alamos, Sonora, February 2018. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegans, Female. Photograph taken within a residential community in Alamos, Sonora, April 2019. Photograph and identification courtesy of David F Smith, Alamos, Sonora.

Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegans, Female. Photograph taken in residential Hereford, Arizona, February 2016. Photograph and identification courtesy of Karen LeMay, Hereford (naturewideimages.com).

Background and Identification

The Elegant Trogon, Trogon elegans, is a member of the Trgonidae Family of Trogons. Due to its metallic plumage on the tail and back,  this species was formerly known as the “coppery-tailed Trogon”. Although newly named, this species is still a strikingly colorful bird. It is one of the few trogons that inhabit the United States, making it highly sought after by bird enthusiasts. The Elegant Trogon is known for its soft, resonant call, often compared to the sound of a barking dog, which can help locate this elusive bird in dense foliage. In Mexico, this species is known as Trogón Elegante.

Adult males are unmistakable, with iridescent green backs, deep red bellies, and striking white chests with a sharp black-and-white border. Their tails are long and square with a distinctive pattern: green above and black and white below. Females are less vibrant, with grayish-brown backs, muted red bellies, and less contrasting plumage overall. Both sexes have a stout yellow bill and large, dark eyes.

Habitat and Geographical Range

The Elegant Trogon inhabits montane forests, particularly those with sycamores, pines, and oaks. It prefers areas near water, such as riparian canyons, where it can find abundant insects and fruits, its primary food source. The species’ range extends from southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico in the United States to western Mexico and parts of Central America.

This species is found in both Central and North America. In the United States, Elegant Trogons are most commonly found in the Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita mountain ranges of Arizona, where they breed during the summer. Southward into Mexico and Central America, they occupy a broader range of tropical and subtropical forests year-round.

Common Misidentifications

The Elegant Trogon is most often confused with the Eared Quetzal, Euptilotis neoxenus, another colorful trogon species that inhabits similar habitats. However, the Eared Quetzal has a longer tail, distinct white markings on its back, and a more slender overall appearance. The male Elegant Trogon’s bright red belly and green back set it apart from other local bird species.

Females of the species may be misidentified as they lack the vivid coloration of the males, but their grayish plumage combined with a red belly is still distinctive. Their square tails and habit of perching quietly on branches can also help distinguish them from other birds.

Conservation Status

The Elegant Trogon is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but its population is considered stable to declining in certain areas due to habitat loss and fragmentation, particularly in the U.S. portion of its range. Its reliance on riparian and forested habitats makes it vulnerable to deforestation, climate change, and water management practices that alter its environment. Conservation efforts focus on protecting riparian corridors and montane forests, as well as monitoring populations in areas where development or forest clearance is occurring. In the United States, The Elegant Trogon is an important indicator species for the health of riparian ecosystems, underscoring the need for habitat conservation in these areas.