Photo: John Gould / Elizabeth Gould / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
White-tipped Quetzal
Pharomachrus fulgidus
White-tipped Quetzal (Pharomachrus fulgidus) — Trogons & Quetzals of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The White-tipped Quetzal (Pharomachrus fulgidus) is a member of the Trogonidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 160 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Trogoniformes
- Family Trogonidae Trogons
- Genus Pharomachrus
- Species fulgidus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 160 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Trogonidae
- Order
- Trogoniformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-tipped Quetzal is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The White-tipped Quetzal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-tipped Quetzal (Pharomachrus fulgidus) is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family, part of the order Trogoniformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA n Venezuela and n Colombia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 160 g, with a wing length of about 18.3 cm and a tail of around 17 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 22,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-tipped Quetzal?
The White-tipped Quetzal is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 160 g.
Where does the White-tipped Quetzal live?
The White-tipped Quetzal is found across South America with a range covering SA n Venezuela and n Colombia, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the White-tipped Quetzal belong to?
The White-tipped Quetzal (Pharomachrus fulgidus) belongs to the Trogonidae family, in the order Trogoniformes.
What does the White-tipped Quetzal eat?
The White-tipped Quetzal is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the White-tipped Quetzal migrate?
The White-tipped Quetzal is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-tipped Quetzal endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the White-tipped Quetzal make?
1 real field recording of the White-tipped Quetzal — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the White-tipped Quetzal's range?
The White-tipped Quetzal has a mapped global range of about 22,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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