Facts about Golden-headed Quetzal
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Golden-headed quetzals have been documented with a geographic range restricted to the western cordillera of Colombia and the Andes of Ecuador, making them among the most geographically limited quetzal species.
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Approximately 20 centimeters of the golden-headed quetzal's total body length consists of its elongated tail feathers, which it uses for balance while foraging in steep cloud forest terrain.
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Vocalizations of the golden-headed quetzal include a distinctive series of melodious whistles and trills that males perform from exposed perches to defend territories during breeding season.
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In Colombia and Ecuador, golden-headed quetzals produce two broods per breeding season, with clutch sizes typically consisting of two white eggs incubated for approximately 17 to 18 days.
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Breeding pairs of golden-headed quetzals construct their nests in cavities within dead trees or rotting stumps, typically at heights between 3 and 15 meters above the forest floor.
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Fruit and insects comprise the primary diet of golden-headed quetzals, with berries from mistletoe plants being particularly important seasonal food sources in their cloud forest habitat.
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Males of this species display iridescent plumage with a distinctive golden-green head and bronze-colored tail feathers that can exceed 20 centimeters in length.
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The golden-headed quetzal inhabits cloud forests in the Andes mountains at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 meters, making it one of the highest-altitude quetzal species.