Cuban trogon

Cuban trogon
A tocororo in Viñales Valley, Cuba
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Trogoniformes
Family:Trogonidae
Genus:Priotelus
Species: P. temnurus
Binomial name
Priotelus temnurus
(Temminck, 1825)

The Cuban trogon or tocororo (Priotelus temnurus) is a species of bird in the family Trogonidae. It is endemic to Cuba, where it is also the national bird. Its natural habitats are dry forests, moist forests, and heavily degraded former forest.

Naming

The Cuban trogon has multiple names it can go by. In English speaking countries it is commonly known as the Cuban trogon, while in Spanish speaking countries it is referred to as the tocororo or tocoloro. This local name was derived from its repeated call, toco-toco-tocoro-tocoro.[2][3][4]

Description

The Cuban trogon is very colorful with a green back, blue crown, red belly and beak, and white throat and chest. These colors mimic the colors of the Cuban flag which is why it was chosen to be the national bird of Cuba. It has a long fluffy tail which is unique amongst trogons. From beak to tail, this bird is between ten and eleven inches. In flight, these birds travel in pairs creating a large amount of noise because of their rough, graceless flying technique. And when trapped in a cage it dies. [2][3][4]

The Cuban trogon’s most common call is toco-toco-tocoro-tocoro, from which its local name is derived. It also makes a short distress call which is difficult to pinpoint.[2][3]

Habitat

The Cuban trogon is very common and can be found all over the island of Cuba. The only places it is rare to see this bird are on the Isle of Youth, Guajaba, Romano, and Sabinal. They prefer wet and dry forests of all altitudes and like to be in the shade as opposed to the sun. The Cuban trogon nests in already created crevices in trees, primarily abandoned woodpecker holes.[2][3][4] The Cuban trogon feeds on flowers, fruits, and insects. Unlike most birds, it is capable of hovering while eating.[2][3][4]

References

  1. ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Priotelus temnurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Cuban Trogon. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2012, from Princeton University Press website
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Cuban Trogon (Priotelus temnurus), the national bird of Cuba. (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2012, from Cuba Naturaleza website
  4. 1 2 3 4 Cuba: Wild Island of the Caribbean. (n.d.). Retrieved December 11, 2012, from PBS website
  • Data related to Priotelus temnurus at Wikispecies
  •  "Tocororo". New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
  • Drawing from A Monograph of the Trogonidae, 1858-1875.
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