Lattice-tailed Trogon

To successfully capture a Lattice-tailed Trogon on a trail camera, placement height is the most critical factor. These birds are sub-canopy specialists, rarely descending to the ground. Mount your camera 10 to 15 feet (3 to 4.5 meters) high on a tree trunk, angled slightly downward toward a known perching branch or a cluster of fruiting plants. Look for 'corridors' in the forest—slight gaps in the vegetation where the bird has a clear flight path to sally for insects.

Lighting is often a challenge in their humid forest habitats. Set your camera to a higher sensitivity or use a device with a high-quality CMOS sensor to handle the low-light conditions of the rainforest floor. Since trogons are famous for sitting perfectly still for minutes at a time, a standard motion trigger might not always fire. If your camera supports a 'time-lapse' mode combined with motion sensing, use it during the peak morning hours to ensure you don't miss a bird that is perched just outside the trigger zone.

Focus your efforts near water sources or specific food trees. In Costa Rica and Panama, the presence of wild nutmeg or aguacatillo (wild avocado) trees is a magnet for this species. If you have these trees on your property, aim the camera at the ripening fruit clusters. Because the 'sally' flight to grab fruit is incredibly fast, use the fastest shutter speed setting available on your camera to avoid motion blur during the strike.

Lastly, consider the season. During the breeding months (February through June), these birds are much more active as they search for old woodpecker holes or decaying heartwood to excavate nests. If you find a potential nesting cavity in a rotting stump, set up your camera at a respectful distance (at least 15-20 feet) to capture the pair as they trade off brooding duties. Avoid using flash at night near nests, as this can disturb their rest and attract predators.