Baird's Trogon Trogon bairdii Scientific name definitions

The Baird's Trogon is a loud, colorful trogon of Costa Rica and Panama. Within its small range, this species can be found in the canopy of humid rainforests, occasionally venturing into forest edge to visit fruiting trees. Its distinctive tail pattern makes this species unlikely to be confused with other trogons within its range. Mainly a fruit eater, the Baird's Trogon has also been observed consuming insects and even small lizards. Its population status is unknown and more work needs to be done examining this species’ population biology. Due to its small range, the Baird Trogon has been listed as near threatened on IUCN's Watchlist. The greatest threats to the Baird's Trogon are deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

25–28 cm; 94–95 g. Male has light blue bill and orbital ring ; head to mid-breast bluish-black, mid-breast to undertail-coverts deep bright red; upperparts metallic blue-green, wingpanel mostly blackish; primaries whitish on outer webs; tail greenish-blue to violet-blue and tipped black above, almost entirely white below with black tip. Virtually identical to T. viridis except for red on underparts. Female duller, greyer, without green and blue tones, dark slate above, paler on throat and breast; red on underparts less extensive; undertail barred, with white bars half width of slaty bars. Juvenile like female, but rectrices more pointed and with less regular barring; male with little orange on belly, female with none.

Pacific slope of Costa Rica (N to around Río Grande de Tárcoles) and adjacent SW Panama (W Chiriquí).

A series of barking notes, first level, then accelerating and falling abruptly, sometimes terminating with several widely spaced notes on lower pitch; clearer and more melodious than T. massena; sharp cackle when agitated.