▶️ Resplendent Quetzal nesting - Costa Rica

Quetzals were sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec peoples; their feathers were used as money, and dignitaries and royalty wore them during ceremonies.

00:00 Quetzal
00:45 - male Quetzal sitting in the nest and leaving the hole - slow motion capture.
01:24 - Resplendent quetzals are considered specialized fruit-eaters, although they mix their diet with insects. Particularly important are wild avocados.
01:41 - Quetzal female
03:50 - Slow motion Quetzal in flight
04:04 - male Quetzal in the nest

Resplendent quetzals create their nests over 200 feet up in the air and court in the air with specific calls. Six specific vocal calls have been recorded: the two-note whistle, gee-gee, wahc-ah-wahc, wec-wec, coouee whistle, uwac, chatter, and buzzing. The first call is related to male territorial behavior, while the coouee whistle is identified as a mating call. Resplendent quetzals usually live alone when not breeding. They are monogamous territorial breeders, with the territory size being measured in Guatemala as 6–10 ha.

The photo gallery of Resplendent Quetzal at: https://www.marekjackowski.net/p500164829