Question 1

True or false: Female resplendent quetzals have the same iridescent green plumage as males.

Accepted Answer

False. Females are duller, with brownish-green and gray, lacking the male’s vibrant crest and long tail.

Question 2

True or false: Resplendent quetzals are found in cloud forests from southern Mexico to western Panama.

Accepted Answer

True. Their range spans Central America, primarily in cloud forests at high elevations.

Question 3

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal is a type of parrot.

Accepted Answer

False. The Resplendent Quetzal belongs to the Trogonidae family of trogons, not the Psittacidae family of parrots.

Question 4

True or false: The resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala and appears on its flag.

Accepted Answer

True. It’s Guatemala’s national bird, symbolizing liberty, and features on the flag and currency.

Question 5

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala.

Accepted Answer

True. The Resplendent Quetzal has been the national bird of Guatemala since 1871, appearing on the country's flag and currency.

Question 6

True or false: Resplendent quetzals feed primarily on nectar from tropical flowers.

Accepted Answer

False. They are mainly frugivores, eating fruits like wild avocados, and occasionally insects.

Question 7

True or false: The resplendent quetzal's tail feathers can grow up to three feet long, longer than its body.

Accepted Answer

True. Males have tail coverts that can reach 3 feet, used in courtship displays.

Question 8

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal was considered a sacred bird by the Aztecs and Mayans.

Accepted Answer

True. Both civilizations revered the quetzal; its iridescent tail feathers were plucked for royal garments, and killing one was a capital offense.

Question 9

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal's tail feathers can grow longer than the bird's body.

Accepted Answer

True. The Resplendent Quetzal's tail feathers can reach up to 60 cm, while its body is about 35 cm, making the tail longer than the body.

Question 10

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal primarily eats fruits, especially wild avocados.

Accepted Answer

True. The Resplendent Quetzal is a frugivore; its diet consists mainly of fruits, notably wild avocados from the laurel family.

Question 11

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal was considered sacred by the ancient Maya and Aztecs.

Accepted Answer

True. Both the Maya and Aztec cultures revered the Resplendent Quetzal as a sacred bird, associating it with the serpent god Quetzalcoatl.

Question 12

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal migrates to the United States every summer.

Accepted Answer

False. The Resplendent Quetzal is a non-migratory resident of Central American cloud forests, from southern Mexico to western Panama.

Question 13

True or false: Resplendent quetzals can mimic human speech, like parrots.

Accepted Answer

False. Quetzals are not mimics; they produce simple calls and whistles, unlike parrots.

Question 14

True or false: Resplendent quetzals are migratory, traveling to South America during winter.

Accepted Answer

False. They are non-migratory, staying in highland forests year-round, moving only altitudinally.

Question 15

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal was first described by Carl Linnaeus.

Accepted Answer

False. The Resplendent Quetzal was first scientifically described in 1832 by Mexican naturalist Pablo de la Llave, not by Linnaeus.

Question 16

True or false: The Resplendent Quetzal is known for its loud, melodic song.

Accepted Answer

False. The Resplendent Quetzal's vocalizations are described as unmusical, including a repeated 'kyow' call and a weak, raspy note.

Resplendent Quetzal Trivia Questions