Birds diurnal

Black-tailed Trogon

Trogon melanurus

A jewel of the tropical canopy, the Black-tailed Trogon combines shimmering emerald plumage with a bold crimson chest. Often found perched motionless in the forest mid-story, this bird is a stunning reward for any patient observer.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 28-30 cm (11-12 inches); Weight: 82-110 g (2.9-3.9 oz)

palette

Colors

Males feature iridescent green upperparts and breast, a bright red belly, and a yellow bill. Females have a dark grey head and breast with a paler red belly. Both sexes have a dark underside to the tail.

visibility

Key Features

Bright yellow bill (males) or dark bill with yellow base (females)
Solid dark grey to black underside of the tail lacking white bars
Prominent white horizontal band separating the green/grey breast from the red belly
Bold red eye-ring in males
Upright, motionless perching posture

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern diurnal

brightness_5

Peak hours 6:30 AM – 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

calendar_month

Season Year-round; most vocal and active during the breeding season from February to June

restaurant

Diet Omnivorous; primarily feeds on large insects (caterpillars, stick insects, cicadas) and a variety of small fruits, particularly from the palm and incense tree families.

park

Habitat Humid lowland forests, forest edges, tall secondary growth, and occasionally shaded plantations or large wooded gardens near forest blocks.

bar_chart
Loading activity data...

Behavior

The Black-tailed Trogon is a master of the 'sit-and-wait' strategy. These birds are known for perching perfectly still for long periods on mid-canopy branches, often remaining unnoticed until they suddenly erupt into flight to snatch a piece of fruit or a large insect. Despite their brilliant colors, they can be surprisingly difficult to spot in the dappled light of the forest because they often sit with their backs to the observer, blending into the green foliage.

Socially, they are typically found alone or in pairs. During the breeding season, they become more vocal, emitting a series of low, rhythmic 'cow-cow-cow' notes that echo through the forest. They are not particularly shy around humans but will maintain a respectful distance, preferring to observe from a high vantage point. Their flight is rapid and undulating, usually covering only short distances between perches.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

To capture the Black-tailed Trogon, camera placement is everything. Unlike ground-dwelling birds, trogons spend most of their time in the mid-story of the forest. If you are using a trail camera in a backyard or forest edge, look for horizontal branches approximately 5 to 12 feet off the ground. Positioning your camera at eye level on a slope can often give you the perfect 'mid-canopy' view without needing a ladder. Focus on areas where sunlight breaks through the canopy, as these birds often sit near light gaps to better spot passing insects.

While trogons won't visit standard seed feeders, they are highly attracted to native fruiting trees. If you have palms, figs, or Guarea species on your property, aim your camera at a clear branch nearby that serves as a 'staging perch.' They will often land on the same branch repeatedly before flying into the fruit cluster. Avoid placing cameras in deep, dark shade; the trogon's dark tail and deep red belly can lose detail in low light. Instead, try to capture them during the early morning hours when the sun is at a lower angle, highlighting the iridescence of their green feathers.

Set your AI-powered camera to a high-speed 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video' setting. Because trogons engage in 'sallying'—a quick hover-and-pluck maneuver—the action happens in a split second. A fast trigger speed is essential to catch the moment they snatch an insect. If your camera allows for sensitivity adjustments, set it to high, as their subtle movements while perching may not always trigger a low-sensitivity PIR sensor. For video, a 15-30 second clip is ideal to capture their characteristic tail-flicking behavior and vocalizations.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Black-tailed Trogon.

Slaty-tailed Trogon

Distinguished by an orange-red bill in males and a slightly larger, heavier body.

White-tailed Trogon

The underside of the tail is predominantly white, contrasting with the Black-tailed's dark undertail.

Gartered Trogon

Much smaller with a distinct yellow eye-ring and a tail with fine black-and-white barring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Black-tailed Trogons are most active in the early morning shortly after sunrise and again in the late afternoon. They tend to be quiet and still during the hottest part of the midday to conserve energy.

The best way to attract Black-tailed Trogons is to plant native fruiting trees like palms and figs and to maintain a 'wild' area with mature trees. They require vertical structure and do not visit traditional bird feeders.

Their diet is a mix of protein and sugar. They eat large insects such as grasshoppers and caterpillars, as well as various small tropical fruits which they pluck while hovering momentarily in mid-air.

They are generally forest birds, so they are only found in suburban areas that are directly adjacent to large tracts of humid lowland forest or in well-wooded 'garden' suburbs in tropical regions.

Look at the bill and the tail. The Black-tailed Trogon male has a yellow bill, while the Slaty-tailed Trogon has an orange-red bill. Additionally, the Black-tailed Trogon has a darker, more uniform underside to the tail.

Record Black-tailed Trogon at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo