Black-tailed Trogon
Trogon melanurus
Black-tailed Trogon (Trogon melanurus) — Trogons & Quetzals of Central America & Caribbean.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-tailed Trogon (Trogon melanurus) is a member of the Trogonidae family found in Central America & Caribbean and South America. Adults weigh 114 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 Trogon
- Species melanurus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 114 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Trogonidae
- Order
- Trogoniformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-tailed Trogon 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 Black-tailed Trogon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Black-tailed Trogon (Trogon melanurus) is a member of the Trogonidae family, within the order Trogoniformes. It occurs naturally across Central America & Caribbean and South America. Its distribution covers MA, SA Panama to Venezuela and Amazonia.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 114 g, with a wing length of about 15.4 cm and a tail of around 15 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 6.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-tailed Trogon?
The Black-tailed Trogon is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 114 g.
Where does the Black-tailed Trogon live?
The Black-tailed Trogon is found across Central America & Caribbean and South America with a range covering MA, SA Panama to Venezuela and Amazonia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black-tailed Trogon belong to?
The Black-tailed Trogon (Trogon melanurus) belongs to the Trogonidae family, in the order Trogoniformes.
What does the Black-tailed Trogon eat?
The Black-tailed Trogon is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Black-tailed Trogon migrate?
The Black-tailed Trogon is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Black-tailed Trogon 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 Black-tailed Trogon make?
1 real field recording of the Black-tailed Trogon — 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 Black-tailed Trogon's range?
The Black-tailed Trogon has a mapped global range of about 6.8 million 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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