quetzal bird
Noun A large, brightly colored bird found in Central and South American tropical forests, belonging to the trogon family. It is renowned for its iridescent golden-green and scarlet plumage, and males of the resplendent quetzal species have extraordinarily long tail coverts.
The term "quetzal bird" is used to specifically refer to the bird itself, distinguishing it from other meanings of "quetzal" (such as the currency of Guatemala). It is a formal or descriptive term often found in ornithological contexts, nature writing, and travel guides about Central America.
- The quetzal bird is considered a symbol of liberty in Guatemala.
- Birdwatchers travel great distances for a chance to see the magnificent quetzal bird in its cloud forest habitat.
- The long, streaming tail feathers of the male quetzal bird were highly prized in ancient Mesoamerican cultures.
- The term is often used in ecological and conservation discussions, as some species, like the resplendent quetzal, are near-threatened due to habitat loss.
- In mythological and cultural contexts, the "quetzal bird" is frequently mentioned in relation to the Aztec and Maya civilizations, where it was associated with the god Quetzalcoatl/Kukulkan.
- Quetzal (noun): Can refer to the bird itself, but more commonly refers to the currency of Guatemala. Context is key to determining the meaning.
- Resplendent quetzal (noun): The specific, most famous species of quetzal bird (), known for its spectacularly long tail.
- Trogon (noun): The family of birds to which all quetzals belong.
- Trogon (This is the broader family name; not all trogons are quetzals, but all quetzals are trogons.)
- Resplendent quetzal (for the specific species)
The primary and essentially only meaning of "quetzal bird" is the avian species described. It does not have phrasal verbs or idioms associated with it, as it is a specific zoological term. The word "quetzal" alone has a dual meaning (bird/currency), which is why "quetzal bird" is used for clarity when referring specifically to the animal.
- large trogon of Central America and South America having golden-green and scarlet plumage