Quetzal

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Quetzals are brightly colored birds in the Americas. The word "quetzal" was first used to mean the Resplendent Quetzal, a famous long-tailed quetzal that lives in Central America. The Resplendent Quetzal is the national symbol of Guatemala.

Quetzals
Quetzal01 cropped.JPG
Resplendent Quetzal
Scientific classification
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Pharomachrus
de la Llave. 1832
Euptilotis
Gould, 1858

In Aztec times, the quetzal was worshiped as the god of the air. Its long tail feathers, which can grow up to 2 ft (60 cm) long, were highly prized for making into costume and head-dresses.[1]

References

  1. Ganeri, Anita (2000). Jungle Animals Over 100 Questions and Answers to Things You Want to Know. Dubai, U.A.E. ISBN 0-75254-909-X. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)