Of all birdgroups, none is more closely associated
with the world's tropical forests than trogons and
quetzals. With shimmering golden-green feathers and long
ornamental tail coverts, Central America's resplendent
quetzal often has been called the world's most beautiful
bird. Other New World as well as African trogonids also
are iridescent and brightly pigmented, while red or
reddish brown hues predominate in Asian species. Since
deforestation and fires have ravaged many of the
reclusive group's prime habitats, ornithologists and
conservationists may soon be unable to study many of the
world's trogonids in their native environments.
Beautifully illustrated with color plates and line
drawings, this comprehensive review of trogons and
quetzals - the first to be published in more than 150
years - covers all thirty-nine extant species. The book
includes detailed species accounts, range maps, and
identification keys as well as a chapter that discusses
comparative biology in terms of evolution, anatomy and
morphology, behavior, ecology, breeding biology, and
populations. Forty hand-colored plates - most by the
renowned nineteenth-century illustrator John Gould -
depict adults of both sexes; nineteen line drawings by
author Paul Johnsgard illustrate behavior and anatomy.
The book also includes more than three hundred
bibliographic references. Despite their beauty and
renown among birders, little has been previously
published about the biology of many trogon and quetzal
species. This up-to-date survey will serve as a valuable
reference for ornithologists, conservationists,
aviculturalists, and birdwatchers worldwide.
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