Discover of 3 Trogons of Vietnam the Majestic Beauty Bird

Trogons of Vietnam – Trogonidae

The Trogonidae family, also known as Trogons, is a group of colorful, beautiful birds found in tropical and subtropical forests around the world. There are three species of Trogons of Vietnam that are commonly found: the Red-headed Trogon, Orange-breasted Trogon, and Ward’s Trogon.

The Red-headed Trogon (Harpactes erythrocephalus) is a stunning bird with a bright red head, black body, and white breast. It is about 25 cm long and has a distinctive call that is often heard in the early morning or late afternoon. Red-headed Trogons are found in dense forests throughout Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia, where they feed on insects, small reptiles, and fruit.

Population IUCN Status: LC (Least Concern)

The Orange-breasted Trogon (Harpactes oreskios) is another beautiful bird with an orange breast, green upperparts, and a distinctive blue eye ring. It is slightly smaller than the Red-headed Trogon, with a length of about 22 cm. Orange-breasted Trogons are found in lowland forests and bamboo thickets throughout Vietnam, where they feed on insects and fruit.

Population IUCN Status: LC (Least Concern)

The Ward’s Trogon (Harpactes wardi) is the largest of the three trogon species found in Vietnam, measuring about 33 cm in length. It has a greenish-black head, yellow breast, and black and white striped tail. Ward’s trogons are found in lowland and hill forests, where they feed on insects and fruit.

Population IUCN Status: NT (Near Threatened)

All three species of Trogons are known for their perching behavior, often sitting motionless on a branch for extended periods while they scan the surrounding area for prey. They are also known for their bright colors, which are used to attract mates and intimidate rivals.

In breeding habit of Trogons. The female Orang-breasted, Red-headed, and Ward’s Trogons lay a clutch of 2-3 eggs and the female incubated eggs, with males starting in the morning and being replaced in the late afternoon by females. Incubation periods of 17 to 19 days for Red-headed and Orange-breasted Trogons (Johnsgard, 2000).

Johnsgard, P. A. 2000. Trogons and quetzals of the world. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC

Besides, the Red-headed Trogon uses old woodpecker holes and natural hollows for nests. This helps them avoid the amount of rainwater entering the nest when it is time to breed. And Orange-breasted Trogons excavated nests both on top of and in the sides of rotten tree parts. Therefore, rainwater is most likely to enter, so the Orange-breasted Trogon rarely nests in the rainy season.

Ali, S., and S. D. Ripley, 1983. Handbook of the birds of India and Pakistan. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, India.

The distribution of Trogons of Vietnam is largely determined by their habitat preferences, which are tropical and subtropical forests. The Red-headed Trogon is found throughout Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia, while the Orange-breasted Trogon is primarily found in the southern and central parts of the country. Ward’s Trogon is found in the lowland and hill forests of Central and Southern Vietnam.

In Vietnam, Trogons are not considered threatened, although habitat loss and hunting are potential threats to their populations. Conservation efforts are being made to protect the forests where they live, which in turn protects the trogons and other bird species that call these forests home.