Widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful birds, the resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) inhabits the montane cloud forests of Central America and southern Mexico. It has an unique iridescent emerald-green plumage, brilliant crimson-red breast, and, in males, the extraordinarily long tail plumes that develop during the breeding season. The quetzal has been deeply revered since the time of ancient Mesoamerican civilizations and remains the national bird of Guatemala.
Photographing this magnificent bird was far from easy. Quetzals typically inhabit dense cloud forests, making them difficult to locate and observe. In addition, the weather in Costa Rica’s montane cloud forests is highly unpredictable. During our first visit, persistent rain and thick fog, especially in the early morning, made photography challenging, and the light was far from ideal. We returned to the same location for a second attempt, and this time we achieved much more satisfying results.
This is a pair of resplendent quetzals feeding their chicks in the nest. The male and female take turns foraging for food and returning to the nest to feed their offspring. The best opportunities to photograph them come when they fly out in search of food and when they return carrying food for the chicks.
This location is well known among bird photographers. Before we left to join another birding expedition, several groups of photographers arrived one after another, each hoping to capture images of this remarkable species.
凤尾绿咬鹃（学名：Pharomachrus mocinno）是公认的世界上最美丽的鸟类之一。它栖息在中美洲和墨西哥南部的山地云雾森林中， 有独特的闪烁着金属光泽的翠绿色羽毛、鲜艳的深红色胸部，雄性在繁殖季节还会长出格外修长的尾羽。自古代中美洲文明时期起，绿咬鹃就备受推崇，至今仍是危地马拉的国鸟。
拍摄这种华丽非凡的鸟儿绝非易事。绿咬鹃通常生活在茂密的云雾森林中，使得它们难以被定位和观察。此外，哥斯达黎加山地云雾林的天气极为变幻莫测。我们第一次前往时，持续的降雨和浓雾——尤其是清晨时分——给摄影带来了很大挑战，光线也远不理想。我们第二次重返同一地点进行尝试，才有了比较满意的结果。
这是一对凤尾绿咬鹃，正在巢中哺育雏鸟。雄鸟和雌鸟轮流外出觅食，再飞回巢穴喂养幼鸟。对摄影者而言，它们飞离巢穴觅食以及衔着食物返回巢穴喂食的瞬间，是拍摄它们最精彩、也是最佳的时机。
这处地点在鸟类摄影师中想到出名。在我们离开去参加另一项拍鸟活动前，几组摄影师陆续到达，都希望能拍到这种奇异物种的照片。
Differences Between Male and Female Resplendent Quetzals 凤尾绿咬鹃的雌雄差异
The male has brilliant colors and long, flowing tail plumes, while the female is duller green, shorter-tailed, and lacks elongated plumes.
雄鸟羽色更加鲜艳，拥有极长、飘逸的尾羽；雌鸟羽色较为暗淡，尾羽较短，且没有雄鸟那样修长的装饰性尾羽。
Female 雌鸟
Male雄鸟
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Sequence of a Female Resplendent Quetzal Leaving the Nest to Forage 雌性凤尾绿咬鹃离巢觅食连拍
Sequence 1 连拍一
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Sequence 2 连拍二
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Sequence of a Male Resplendent Quetzal Returning to the Nest 雄性凤尾绿咬鹃返回巢穴的连拍
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Sequence of a Male Resplendent Quetzal Leaving the Nest to Forage 雄性凤尾绿咬鹃离巢觅食连拍
Sequence 1 连拍一
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Sequence 2 连拍二
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