Which bird is Guatemala’s national emblem and is famous for its long, iridescent tail feathers?

The resplendent quetzal is Guatemala’s national bird and a famous rainforest species with exceptionally long, iridescent tail coverts.

Its scientific name is Pharomachrus mocinno, and it lives in humid montane forests from southern Mexico through Central America. Males develop the spectacular tail plumes, while females have shorter, less elaborate tails. The bird’s green and blue feathers can appear bronze or golden depending on the light.

The quetzal became an important symbol in Mesoamerica long before modern national borders. Maya and Aztec cultures associated its feathers with status and divinity, and Guatemala later placed the bird on its coat of arms and named its currency the quetzal.

A common mix-up is calling any colorful Central American bird a quetzal. The resplendent quetzal is one particular species, distinct from other members of the quetzal group.