Resplendent quetzal Resplendent quetzal The resplendent quetzal () ("Pharomachrus mocinno") is a bird in the trogon family. It is found from Chiapas, Mexico to western Panama (unlike the other quetzals of the genus "Pharomachrus", which are found in South America and eastern Panama). It is well known for its colorful plumage. There are two subspecies, "P. m. mocinno" and "P. m. costaricensis". The resplendent quetzal plays an important role in various types of Mesoamerican mythology. It is the national bird of Guatemala, and its image is found on the country's flag and coat of arms. It also lends its name to the
Golden-headed quetzal the family Trogonidae, which is made up of birds found in tropical rainforests worldwide. The word quetzal comes from the Nahuatl (the Aztec language) word "quetzalli" (from the root "quetz" meaning "stand"), which translates to "long green plume" or "tail feather of the quetzal". Quetzal is usually specifically used to refer to the resplendent quetzal ("Pharomachrus mocinno") first described by Pablo de la Llave in 1832 but in reality it applies to all members of the genera "Pharomachrus" and "Euptilotis". "Pharomachrus", coined by Pablo de la Llave, stems from Ancient Greek "pharos" meaning "mantle" or "cloak" and "makros" meaning "long"