The Resplendent Quetzal

The resplendent quetzal resides in the mountainous cloud rainforests of Guatemala, Costa Rica, and parts of Mexico and Honduras. They are known for their vibrant plumage and elongated tail feathers for mating displays. Also, quetzals possess large, dark eyes to spot food and potential predators, and they have curved beaks to grasp the spotted fruits and seeds with ease. However, these birds face the threat of deforestation and climate change. The constantly rising temperatures and varied precipitation patterns may push quetzals to seek cooler environments at higher elevations. To better camouflage with the drier environment, they may shift to more muted tones. Also, their tail feathers may shorten to increase mobility in the altered environment. The quetzal’s feather density may reduce because of temperatures and decreased food availability. Furthermore, they may develop short, broad beaks to feed on a wider variety of fruits and seeds.