Facts about Resplendent Quetzal

1. 06

   A resplendent quetzal's heart rate can exceed 1,000 beats per minute during its intense courtship dive displays, one of the fastest rates among bird species.

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2. 05

   Resplendent quetzals feed almost exclusively on avocado fruits, particularly those of the wild aguacatillo tree, consuming up to 40 fruits daily during peak feeding season.

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3. 04

   Breeding male resplendent quetzals perform dramatic vertical dives from heights of 80 feet, plummeting downward with their elongated tail feathers streaming behind them to attract mates.

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4. 03

   Resplendent quetzals require unbroken primary forest canopy above 1,200 meters elevation in Central America, making habitat fragmentation the primary threat to their survival.

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5. 02

   In pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, Aztec rulers valued resplendent quetzal feathers so highly they served as currency and were worth more than gold by weight.

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6. 01

   The resplendent quetzal's tail feathers can reach lengths of 24 inches, with males displaying dramatically elongated coverts during breeding season.

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