White-tailed Trogon vs Graceful Black-throated Trogon

In short

The White-tailed Trogon and Graceful Black-throated Trogon can be distinguished by their tail patterns and habitat preferences. The White-tailed Trogon has a bluish-green tail with extensive white on the undertail, while the Graceful Black-throated Trogon has a more uniformly colored tail with denser barring. Habitat choice also differs, with the White-tailed Trogon favoring moist forests up to 1,000 m, and the Graceful Black-throated Trogon found in lowland humid forests.

Identification tips

1. Look for the tail pattern: extensive white on the undertail indicates a White-tailed Trogon. 2. Note the habitat: lowland humid forests suggest a Graceful Black-throated Trogon. 3. Listen for the song: a brisk series of notes is typical of the White-tailed Trogon, while slower, longer notes suggest the Graceful Black-throated Trogon. 4. Check the head color: a black, blue-glossed head is characteristic of the male White-tailed Trogon, while a green hood indicates the Graceful Black-throated Trogon.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of small to medium-sized trogons.

Plumage

Male White-tailed Trogons have a black head with a rich blue gloss and a pale blue orbital ring, contrasting with the Graceful Black-throated Trogon's green hood. The White-tailed Trogon's tail is bluish-green with extensive white on the undertail, whereas the Graceful Black-throated Trogon has a more uniformly colored tail with denser barring. Females of both species are duller, with the White-tailed Trogon female showing gray tones instead of the male's blue and green.

Behaviour

Both species feed on fruits and insects, but the Graceful Black-throated Trogon is more often found in the understory and midstory, while the White-tailed Trogon has a broader ecological range.

Habitat

The White-tailed Trogon is found in moist tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, and secondary forests up to 1,000 m. In contrast, the Graceful Black-throated Trogon inhabits tall humid lowland forests from Honduras to northwestern Colombia.

Voice

The White-tailed Trogon's song is a series of about 16 brisk notes that become louder near the end, while the Graceful Black-throated Trogon's song is slower, with fewer notes held longer.