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
Resplendent quetzal country's currency, the Guatemalan quetzal (abbreviation GTQ). The resplendent quetzal was first described by Mexican naturalist Pablo de La Llave in 1832. It is one of five species of the genus "Pharomachrus" known as quetzals. The term "quetzal" was originally used for just this species, but is now applied to all members of the genera "Pharomachrus" and "Euptilotis". Two subspecies are recognised, "P. m. mocinno" and "P. m. costaricensis". The epithet "mocinno" is Llave's Latinization of the name of the biologist J. M. Mociño, a mentor of his. (It is sometimes spelled "mocino", but "ñ" was formerly spelled "nn" in