Philippine trogon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philippine trogon |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Trogoniformes |
| Family: | Trogonidae |
| Genus: | Harpactes |
| Species: |
H. ardens
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| Binomial name | |
| Harpactes ardens (Temminck, 1826)
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The Philippine trogon (Harpactes ardens) is a beautiful bird that belongs to the Trogonidae family. This bird is special because it is endemic to the Philippines, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world! Its amazing colors and feathers have even made people connect it to the mythical Ibong Adarna from old Filipino stories.
Contents
What Does the Philippine Trogon Look Like?
The male Philippine trogon is very colorful. Its head and throat are black, and its face is a bright blue. The back of its neck and upper body are brown, while its lower back is light brown with a reddish-brown tail. Its chest is light gray to pink, with a bright red line across it, and its belly is a paler red.
Female trogons are also pretty, but their colors are not as bright as the males. For example, their underparts might be a duller mustard-yellow, and their heads are olive-brown. Both male and female trogons are known for their shy nature, preferring to stay hidden in the darker parts of the forest.
Where Do Philippine Trogons Live?
Philippine trogons live in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and montane forests (forests found on mountains). They like places where the air is humid and there are lots of trees. You can often find them alone or in pairs. They usually perch about 5 to 10 meters (about 16 to 33 feet) off the ground. They like to hide in dark spots among vines or branches in the lower parts of the forest.
These birds are common in both old forests and "secondary growth" areas. Secondary growth means forests that have grown back after being cut down or disturbed.
Philippine Trogons in Mount Apo
The Philippine trogon has been seen in the forests around Mount Apo. Mount Apo is a very important natural park in the Philippines. In 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Soccsksargen and Davao Regions recorded and photographed these birds there.
In April 2024, the DENR also found four Philippine trogons in the Mount Apo Natural Park. Local people from the Obo Monuvu tribe call this bird "Arak" and respect it very much.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The Philippine trogon builds its nest in a hole inside a dead tree. These nests are usually about 6 meters (nearly 20 feet) high. When the female lays eggs, she usually lays about three eggs at a time.
What Do Philippine Trogons Eat?
Scientists are still learning a lot about what Philippine trogons eat. However, we know they like to eat grasshoppers, which they catch from branches. They also feed on other insects and various fruits. These birds often find shelter inside hollow parts of trees.
 | Charles R. Drew |
 | Benjamin Banneker |
 | Jane C. Wright |
 | Roger Arliner Young |
