Bird
Bird
Violaceous Trogon
Trogon violaceus
The Violaceous Trogon is a smaller relative of the Collared Trogon found in Trinidad's lowland forest, the male displaying a deep violet-blue sheen across the head and breast that gives the species its common name, seen most often as a still, quiet shape in the mid-storey.
The Violaceous Trogon is a smaller relative of the Collared Trogon found in Trinidad's lowland forest, the male displaying a deep violet-blue sheen across the head and breast that gives the species its common name, seen most often as a still, quiet shape in the mid-storey.
Identification
A medium-small trogon around 21 to 24 cm long. The male has a dark violet-blue head and breast with a green back, a bright yellow belly, and a distinctive yellow, bare orbital eye-ring. The female is greyish-brown on the head and breast with the same yellow belly, lacking the male's violet sheen. Both sexes show finely barred black-and-white undertail feathers, characteristic of trogons.
Ecology
The Violaceous Trogon feeds on fruit and insects taken by short sallying flights from a motionless perch, favouring lowland forest interior and forest edge. It excavates or occupies a cavity nest, frequently in an active arboreal termite nest, softened and hollowed out by the pair's repeated visits. Like other trogons, it remains still for long periods and is often located by its distinctive, soft, descending call rather than by visual detection.
Status in T&T
Found in lowland forest and forest edge on Trinidad. It is not threatened. It is protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Act and is not a game species.
Threats
- Lowland forest clearance and fragmentation
