What is a Quetzal?

I chose the Quetzal because it has just about the craziest name I have ever heard! And that is not its only name, it is also called the "Resplendent Quetzal" or the "Guatemalan Quetzal." In Latin, this bird is titled Pharomachrus moccino. The quetzal is a bird and therefore belongs to the group Chordata. This bird lives in the mountains and tropical forests of Central America and has been held as important for thousands of years; even the Mayans and Aztecs believed this bird to be sacred. In Guatemala, this bird is a symbol of the nation and even the currency in Guatemala is dealt out in "quetzals." The quetzal weighs only 7-8 ounces, but what it lacks in weight, it makes up for in height. The quetzal can grow to be 24 inches long (that's two feet, a pretty big bird). During mating season, the male quetzal gets much taller as he grows a 3 foot long tail to impress a mate. While females do not grow as long of a tail, they are different than most female birds in that they share the vibrant colors of the males. The quetzal is an omnivore, meaning that it eats meat and plants, and enjoys eating fruit, insects, and lizards. Sadly enough, the quetzal is a threatened animal because of the destruction of the forests in Central America. One country in particular, Costa Rica, has made efforts to preserve the forest and has set apart land that these birds can continue to live on.

*Research based on information found from http://www.animals.nationalgeographic.com/