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 Spanish, so the spelling with "nn" is justified and in any case now official.) The word "quetzal" came from Nahuatl (Aztec), where "quetzalli" (from the root "quetza" = "stand") meant "tall upstanding plume" and then "quetzal tail feather"; from that Nahuatl "quetzaltotōtl" means "quetzal-feather bird" and thus "quetzal". This species is long, plus up to of tail streamer for the male, and weighs about . It is the largest representative of the trogon order. The subspecies "costaricensis" is slightly smaller than the nominate race, with tail plumes that are both shorter and narrower. Resplendent quetzals have a green body (showing