Join BirdNote tomorrow, November 30th!
Illustrator David Sibley and actor H. Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction!
Resplendent Quetzal: Mexico’s Sacred Bird
A bird linked to the feathered serpent god, Quetzalcoatl
© ryanacandee / FCC
Found in Southern Mexico and Central America, Resplendent Quetzals have a striking blue tail up to three times the length of their bodies. That's probably why the Aztecs considered this bird a representation of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, one of the most worshiped gods across ancient Mesoamerica. But no matter how sacred, Resplendent Quetzals are currently considered near threatened due to a declining population. Deforestation and illegal trade are the main threats to their survival.
Listen to this episode in Spanish here.
BirdNote®
Resplendent Quetzal: Mexico’s Sacred Bird
Written by Lucina Melesio
This is BirdNote.
[Guatemalan rainforest soundscape]
Deep in the forests of Southern Mexico and Central America, the Resplendent Quetzal is a sight to behold.
[Resplendent Quetzal songs]
And if you catch a glimpse of the bird’s emerald green feathers, fiery red breast and striking blue tail winding on and on, up to three times the length of its body, you might even think you’ve seen a flying serpent.
[Resplendent Quetzal calls]
Which is probably why the Aztecs considered this bird a representation of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent, one of the most worshiped gods across ancient Mesoamerica. Known as Kukulkan to the Mayans, the god was associated with creation and knowledge.
[Resplendent Quetzal songs]
But no matter how sacred, Resplendent Quetzals are currently considered near threatened due to a declining population. Deforestation and illegal trade are the main threats to their survival.
Quetzals hold an important role in their ecosystem. As they feast on fruits like avocados and wild aguacatillo, they scatter their seeds, playing a crucial part in forest regeneration.
These majestic birds prefer cloud forests, building their nests in tree cavities. Both parents share the duties of incubating the eggs and raising their young.
[Resplendent Quetzal songs]
It takes two quetzal parents to raise a bird this magnificent.
For BirdNote, I’m Lucina Melesio.
###
Senior Producer: John Kessler
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Managing Editor: Jazzi Johnson
Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
Content Director: Jonese Franklin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. ML211598 recorded by Josue de León Lux, and Resplendent Quetzal ML6193 recorded by Anne LaBastille.
Resplendent Quetzal Xeno Canto XC326653 recorded by Beatrix Saadi-Varchmin.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2023 BirdNote September 2023
Narrator: Lucina Melesio
ID# REQU-01-2023-09-19 REQU-01
Lucina Melesio
Writer Narrator