Species profile
About this species
The Crested Quetzal is a strikingly colourful bird found in the cloud forests of South America, belonging to the trogon family. The male displays vivid emerald green plumage with a red belly, a distinctive bushy crest, & a white-barred tail, while the female is more subdued in colouration. It is closely related to the Resplendent Quetzal & shares many of its remarkable iridescent feather qualities.
Humid montane cloud forests & forest edges at elevations between 1500m & 2800m across the Andes, ranging from Venezuela & Colombia south through Ecuador & Peru to Bolivia.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Crested Quetzal with us in Peru.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours between dawn & 9am offer the best light & highest activity levels, with the breeding season from March to June providing the greatest opportunity to observe & photograph males displaying their plumage.
Position yourself near fruiting trees where Crested Quetzals feed, as they are often less wary when focussed on foraging. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500s to capture the iridescent plumage in sharp detail & reduce motion blur. A telephoto lens of 400mm or longer is recommended to maintain a respectful distance & avoid disturbing the bird's natural behaviour.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Crested Quetzal
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.