The legendary status of the Resplendent Quetzal survives in various forms today. The name quetzal comes
from the Aztec quetzalli, originally meaning tail-feather
, and by transference “precious” or “beautiful”. Thus it is that the unit of monetary currency in Guatemala is the quetzal.
What language does quetzal come from?
The name quetzal is from
Nahuatl quetzalli
[keˈt͡salːi], “large brilliant tail feather” (American Audubon Dictionary) or “tail coverts of the quetzal” (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary), from the Nahuatl root quetz = “stand up” used to refer to an upstanding plume of feathers.
Where is a quetzal from?
Near threatened. The resplendent quetzal is an aptly named bird that many consider among the world's most beautiful. These vibrantly colored animals live in the
mountainous, tropical forests of Central America
where they eat fruit, insects, lizards, and other small creatures.
Who discovered the quetzal?
The resplendent quetzal was first described by
Mexican naturalist Pablo de La Llave
in 1832. It is one of five species of the genus Pharomachrus known as quetzals. The term “quetzal” was originally used for just this species, but is now applied to all members of the genera Pharomachrus and Euptilotis.
Why is the quetzal the national bird of Guatemala?
Guatemala declared the Resplendent Quetzal as its national bird in 1871. … The Resplendent Quetzal was a sacred bird in both Aztec and Mayan cultures, where priests and royalty wore quetzal feathers during ceremonial events. It is
culturally associated with the “snake god
,” Quetzalcoatl.
What is the most beautiful bird in the world?
- Indian Peacock: The very mention of a beautiful bird produces images of an Indian Peacock in our mind! …
- Golden Pheasant: …
- Rainbow Lorikeet: …
- Keel-Billed Toucan: …
- Nicobar Pigeon: …
- Great Bird of Paradise: …
- Mandarin Duck: …
- Spatuletail:
Can you own a quetzal?
Because of their wonderful appearance and scarcity, quetzals are a popular tourist attraction for bird-watchers in some locations. They are sometimes trapped to be kept as pets, or for captive tourist attractions, which has drastically reduced their numbers.
Is a quetzal rare?
The resplendent quetzal
is endangered throughout
its range from Southern Mexico to Northwestern Panama due to loss of its cloud forest habitat. Quetzals are particularly susceptible because they were never prolific.
What Latin American countries does the quetzal live in?
Quetzals are found from
southern Mexico to Bolivia
. The resplendent quetzal and the golden-headed quetzal are the only species found in Central America.
What did the quetzal symbolize for the Mayans?
The Resplendent Quetzal is an important symbol in both Aztec and Mayan culture. … The quetzal is associated with the snake god Quetzalcoatl and seen as
a symbol for goodness and light
. Quetzalcoatl was even represented as a serpent adorned with the feathers of a Resplendent Quetzal.
Was the quetzal a real dinosaur?
Quetzalcoatlus was a pterosaur, a type of flying reptile.
It was not a dinosaur
, though it lived during the same period. Quetzalcoatlus lived during the Late Cretaceous and resided in North America. The first Quetzalcoatlus fossil was discovered in 1975.
What kind of animal is a quetzal?
The quetzal is
a bird
that many consider among the world's most beautiful. Vibrantly coloured, they live in the mountainous, tropical forests of Central America where they eat fruit, insects, lizards, and other small creatures.
What is Guatemala's national bird?
The national bird of Guatemala,
the Resplendent Quetzal
is also found from southern Mexico to western Panama.
What is Mexico's national bird?
Though
the Golden Eagle
is Mexico's national bird, some believe it is the Crested Caracara depicted on the ancient Aztec pictogram that appears on Mexico's flag.
What bird is on the Guatemala flag?
The Guatemalan coat of arms also was strikingly different; it featured as its principal symbol the national bird,
the quetzal
, although the scroll on which the quetzal rested contained the date of Central American independence, September 15, 1821. A wreath and crossed rifles and sabres completed the design.
