Resplendent Quetzal

Pharomachrus mocinno

This is a Resplendent Quetzal, a small fruit eating bird found in Central American forests and considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world.

Modern birds are closely related to dinosaurs - they descended from a group of meat-eating dinosaurs called theropods, which included T. rex! So, whilst it may not look like it, this striking bird is a modern-day dinosaur!

The Resplendent Quetzal is an important bird for many Central American cultures - it is the national bird of Guatemala and was considered sacred by the Aztecs and Mayans, due to its close association with the Aztec's feathered serpent god, Quetzalcōātl.

The Resplendent Quetzal's name also connects to a very different creature: Quetzalcoatlus, a giant prehistoric pterosaur (flying reptile). Pterosaurs are often thought to be flying dinosaurs, but instead are their own separate group of flying reptiles that are distinct from dinosaurs.

Quetzalcoatlus, which was named after the Aztec God Quetzalcōātl, was one of the largest pterosaurs and one of the largest flying animals of all time, with an estimated wingspan of over 10 metres.