Cuban trogon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cuban trogon |
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| A tocororo in Viñales Valley, Cuba | |
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| Genus: |
Priotelus
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| Species: |
temnurus
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The Cuban trogon or tocororo (Priotelus temnurus) is a beautiful bird that lives only in Cuba. It belongs to the Trogonidae family. This special bird is also the national bird of Cuba, which means it's a very important symbol for the country!
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Meet the Tocororo: Cuba's National Bird
The tocororo is a unique bird found only on the island of Cuba. Its scientific name is Priotelus temnurus. It's famous for its bright colors, which match the Cuban flag!
What Makes the Tocororo Special?
The Cuban trogon has a close relative, the Hispaniolan trogon. There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Cuban trogon. One is called P. t. temnurus, and the other is P. t. vescus.
People in Cuba often call this bird the "tocororo." This name sounds just like the bird's repeated call: "toco-toco-tocoro-tocoro." It's a fun way to remember its name!
How to Spot a Tocororo: Description
This bird is about 23 to 28 centimeters (9 to 11 inches) long. It weighs between 47 and 75 grams (1.7 to 2.6 ounces). Both male and female tocororos look alike with their colorful feathers.
Their beak is a pretty reddish-pink color, with a dark top part. Adult birds have a blackish face and reddish eyes. The top of their head and back of their neck are a shiny metallic blue. Their back and rump are metallic green.
Their cheeks, chin, and throat are white. This color fades into a light gray on their chest and upper belly. The lower part of their belly and the feathers under their tail are bright red.
The tocororo's tail is special. The feathers get shorter towards the middle, making a point. The three inner pairs of tail feathers are glossy blue-black. The three outer pairs have blue-black bases and are mostly white. Their wing feathers are generally dark metallic green to black. They also have a cool pattern of white spots. Young tocororos look similar to adults but are a bit duller. They have buffy gray underparts and reddish-pink undertail feathers.
Where the Tocororo Lives: Habitat
The main type of Cuban trogon, P. t. temnurus, lives all over the main island of Cuba. You can also find it on some larger small islands, called cays, near the Camagüey Province. The other type, P. t. vescus, lives only on Isla de la Juventud, also known as the Isle of Pines.
These birds live in many kinds of forests. They like both old, untouched forests and newer, regrown forests. They also live in shrublands and smaller wooded areas, especially near water. Tocororos prefer humid, shady spots within these places. You can find them at all elevations, but they are most common in higher areas.
Tocororo's Daily Life: Behavior
Tocororos are interesting birds with unique habits.
How They Move and Socialize
Cuban trogons usually stay in one area. However, they might move to different elevations or places if they need to find more food. Their flight can look a bit choppy and noisy.
You will often see tocororos in pairs. Sometimes, you might even spot them in small groups of three or four. They don't seem to mind when people are nearby.
What a Tocororo Eats
Tocororos usually look for food in the middle parts of the forest trees. They catch insects by flying out from a branch. They also hover near leaves or fruit to grab their meal. Their diet mainly includes insects, fruits, and plant buds. They even feed small lizards to their young!
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The breeding season for the Cuban trogon is mostly from April to July. They build their nests in natural holes in trees. They also use old holes made by woodpeckers. Sometimes, they even nest in termite mounds found in trees.
A female tocororo usually lays three or four eggs. The eggs hatch after about 18 days. The young birds then stay in the nest for about 21 days before they are ready to fly.
The Tocororo's Song
The Cuban trogon's song is a pleasant sound. It's a repeated "toco-toco-tocoro-tocoro..." that they sing often and for long periods. They also make a quick series of short, sharp notes. Sometimes, they have a low, sad call that can be hard to find.
Protecting the Tocororo
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says the Cuban trogon is a species of "Least Concern." This means it's not currently in immediate danger of disappearing. It lives in a large area, but we don't know exactly how many there are. Experts believe their numbers might be going down.
No immediate big threats have been found for the tocororo. It is common and widespread on the main island of Cuba. However, it is rare on the small offshore cays and not very common on Isla de la Juventud. The biggest human-caused threats to the Cuban trogon are deforestation (when forests are cut down) and habitat fragmentation (when their living areas are broken into smaller pieces). Protecting their forest homes is important to keep these beautiful birds safe.
Gallery
See also
In Spanish: Tocororo para niños
