Surucua Trogon

Overview

The Surucua trogon (Trogon surrucura) is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae, found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its population is believed to be decreasing due to forest fragmentation.

Identification

• Males feature a blackish face and throat with an orange eye ring, a royal blue crown, neck, and breast, and a coppery-green back transitioning to turquoise on the tail; the belly is pinkish red and flanks are gray.
• Females are mostly gray with red on the belly beginning lower, and possess small white spots around the eye instead of the male's orange ring.
• The nominate subspecies measures 26 to 28 cm in length, while T. s. aurantius males have a yellow eye ring and an orange belly.
• The song consists of an ascending sequence of moderately high-pitched 'diu' or 'kwa' notes that increase slightly in amplitude, accompanied by a 'kiarr' warning call.

Habitat

This species inhabits the mid levels of primary and well-developed secondary forest and semideciduous woodland. The nominate subspecies ranges from eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina into Uruguay and southeastern Brazil, while T. s. aurantius is restricted to east central and eastern Brazil. Elevations can range up to 1,150 m in Bahia to 2,000 m for the northern subspecies.

Diet

The diet comprises a wide variety of insects, including adults and larvae, as well as fruits and occasionally flowers. The bird sometimes joins mixed-species foraging flocks to feed.

Did you know?

Nests are constructed within cavities in decayed trees or arboreal termite nests. A single described clutch contained three eggs.