Resplendent quetzal

Resplendent Quetzal (Paromachrus mocinno) Central America

Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), Paraiso del Quetzal lodge

Resplendent Quetzal

Today, we will explore the 10 most colorful animals on Earth. Their dazzling hues and patterns make them stand out in nature. Let’s begin our colorful journey!

Resplendent Quetzal 🐦

Resplendent Quetzal - Kevin Loughlin - Costa Rica - www.birdingecotours.com

Resplendent Quetzal...Costa Rica.

Resplendent Quetzal

(Whew. Not much time to edit these while overseas due to my VERY limited internet access, so prepare for lightning posts! They will still be 'posted' on the same days, so it will look like I was still posting one a day. Shh, our little secret!) Peacocks are not the only birds with striking plumage and extreme sexual dimorphism. Another bird in the Americas, the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) also exhibits a striking difference between male and female birds. The males are…

Wing and breast feathers of Resplendent Quetzal

Quetzal: when in Costa Rica, we heard this bird in the wild. The natives thought it was a beautiful sound, but we found it very sad, like the sound of a wounded puppy.

My latest trip to Costa Rica, led by Colby Brown, included a couple attempts to photograph the aptly named Resplendent Quetzal. I had tried unsuccessfully, several years before, to get an image of the male. Here was another chance. We tried in the afternoon, when they were known to be more active, but I didn't come away with more than some brief sightings, still very much worth it. We were divided as a group as to whether to try again in the morning when they are less active, with the…

Resplendent Quetzal

Quetzal, Pharomachrus mocinno. Costa Rica