Eared Quetzal Euptilotis neoxenus

Eared Quetzal, previously known as the Eared Trogon, is a resident of highland pine, pine oak and pine evergreen forests of northwestern Mexico in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Occupying elevations from 1700 to 3000 m, this rare Mexican endemic has become a rare visitor and fairly recent rare breeder in southeastern Arizona. Eared Quetzal is named for its elongated postocular plumes, which are unique among trogons and quetzals. The crown of the adult male is bronze green with a dull black head and throat, a bronze green chest and bright red belly and undertail coverts. The back and upperwing coverts are bronze green, becoming bright bluish green on the rump and uppertail  coverts. The upper tail is an iridescent blue, while the underside of the tail is white. Eared Trogon is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, as its habitat has been greatly reduced by logging. Eared Quetzal nests in cavities in trees, and the loss of nest trees probably is the single greatest threat to this species.