Quetzal Sexual Selection
| Title | Info |
|---|---|
| Common name | Quetzal,Resplendent |
| Scientific name | Pharomachrus mocinno |
| Taxonomic group | Trogonidae |
| Source | Dan L. Perlman |
| Selection and adaptations | Selection; Coloration |
| Coloration | Attracting mates |
| Selection | Sexual selection |
| Organisms | Animals |
| Animals | Birds |
| Conservation | Endangered species |
| Lessons | Endangered species |
| Date | 1998 |
| Location | Monteverde,Puntarenas,Costa Rica,North America |
Related materials: Quetzal
Male quetzals, with their extremely long tails and showy coloration, are an excellent example of sexual selection.
Male quetzal on branch, Monteverde, Costa Rica. Quetzals are altitudinal migrants, moving from one elevation to another among various forest types at specific times of the year. They nest in cloud forest, a high-elevation type of rainforest, as shown in this image. Note the bright colors and long tail of the male, which are both sexually selected characters. The long tail figures prominently in mating display flights to attract females. This species is listed under Appendix I of The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which means that it is considered too endangered to allow it to be traded internationally.
