Gartered Trogon
Trogon caligatus
Also known as: Gartered Violaceous Trogon
About This Species
A compact trogon of Central American and northern South American forest, with males showing an iridescent green back, yellow belly and a barred tail, usually perched motionless in the mid-story rather than moving actively. It is often located by a soft, low, growling call before it is seen, since its stillness and dappled plumage make it easy to overlook against foliage. Quiet mid-elevation forest trails in the early morning offer the best chance of a good, unhurried view.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because this species tends to sit still rather than flee, it is easy to approach too closely without realising it; watch from a distance with binoculars rather than closing in for a better look.
- Forest bird protections vary across the Central and South American countries in its range, so avoid assuming uniform legal rules or a fixed safe distance.
- Moving slowly, speaking quietly and pausing often will keep a perched bird calm long enough for a proper view.
LCAvesTrogoniformesTrogonidae
Seasonal Activity
191,644 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Trogoniformes
- Family
- Trogonidae
Photo
(c) Nigel Voaden, some rights reserved (CC BY)
CC-BY-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.