MALABAR TROGON

Malabar Trogon

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The Malabar trogon (Harpactes fasciatus) is a species of bird in the trogon family. It is found in the forests of Sri Lanka and peninsular India. In India it is mainly found in the Western Ghats, hill forests of central India and in parts of the Eastern Ghats. They are insectivorous and although not migratory, may move seasonally in response to rain in hill forest regions. Like in other trogons, males and females vary in plumage. The birds utter low guttural call that can be heard only at close quarters and the birds perch still on a branch under the forest canopy with a hunched posture often facing away from the viewer making them easy to miss despite their colourful plumage.

They are sized up to 31cm long. Trogons have distinctive plumages among male and female.
Male: The male has a black head and breast in the Indian race H. f. malabaricus, and dark grey in the Sri Lankan H. f. fasciatus. A white border line separates the black upperparts from its crimson bottom. The back and tail are cinnamon, and the wings are dark grey. The bright crimson red bottom of the male makes it easily
Female: The female lacks the bright red colour and is largely cinnamon, with a darker shade on her head and breast. The wings are brown.

Quick Facts

Name: Harpactes fasciatus

Family: Trogonidae (Bird that nibbles holes in trees and make their nest)

Size: Crow-like

Habitat: Peninsular India in the Western and Eastern Ghats and Sri Lanka

Food: Insects, seeds and grasshoppers

Breeding: Feb-May

Nest: Holes in trees

Eggs: 2-3

Call: Kyau