Golden-headed Quetzal
Pharomachrus auriceps
Silhouette: Jamie Whitehouse · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderTrogoniformes (Trogons and Quetzals)
- FamilyTrogonidae (Trogons)
- GenusPharomachrus (Typical Quetzals)
- SpeciesPharomachrus auriceps (Golden-headed Quetzal)
About the Golden-headed Quetzal
The golden-headed quetzal or corequenque (Pharomachrus auriceps) is a strikingly coloured bird in the genus Pharomachrus. It is found in moist mid-elevation forests from eastern Panama to northern Bolivia. The golden-headed quetzal is known for its iridescent green colour, which it shares with other quetzals, and its distinctive golden head. The female of the species is less brightly coloured, displaying more brown tones than the male. The golden-headed quetzal's diet consists mainly of fruit, and occasionally insects. It is generally a solitary and quiet bird unless it is breeding season, when the male and female become a monogamous pair and create a cavity nest in an old tree. During breeding season both sexes share brooding and feeding duties for 25–30 days until the chick is ready to fledge. The golden-headed quetzal is fairly common and considered a species of least concern.
The golden-headed quetzal, also known by the Spanish name pilco real, was first described by John Gould in the 2nd edition of A Monograph of the Trogonidae or family of Trogons published in 1875. It is one of five birds in the genus Pharomachrus, known as quetzals, and is included in the family... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Golden-headed Quetzal in Manu National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Manu National Park
Crested Quetzal
Pharomachrus antisianus
Pavonine Quetzal
Pharomachrus pavoninus
Black-tailed Trogon
Trogon melanurus
Blue-crowned Trogon
Trogon curucui
Collared Trogon
Trogon collaris
Masked Trogon
Trogon personatus
Amazonian Trogon
Trogon ramonianus
Green-backed Trogon
Trogon viridis
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farallones de Cali National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 2 | Los Nevados National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 3 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru | |
| 4 | Podocarpus National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 5 | Puracé National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 6 | Chingaza National Natural Park | 🇨🇴 Colombia | |
| 7 | Cordillera Azul National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Golden-headed Quetzal in Manu National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Golden-headed Quetzal sighting in Manu National Park, based on 406 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Golden-headed Quetzal in Manu National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Golden-headed Quetzal in Manu National Park in our monthly data.