Trogons (Trogonidae)

White-tailed Trogon (Trogon viridis) - HBW 6, p. 112

French: Trogon à queue blanche German: Weißschwanztrogon Spanish: Trogón Coliblanco
Other common names: Green-backed Trogon

Taxonomy: Trogon viridis Linnaeus, 1766, Cayenne.
Forms a superspecies with T. bairdii, T. citreolus and T. melanocephalus; sometimes considered conspecific with T. bairdii, from which race chionurus differs mainly in belly colour and female's undertail pattern, with habits and vocalizations rather similar. DNA studies suggest present species may actually be closer to T. violaceus and T. curucui. Race chionurus sometimes considered a distinct species. Birds from SE Brazil described as race melanopterus, but individual variation, as well as overlap in biometrics with populations elsewhere in species’ range, render separation doubtful. Species commonly, but incorrectly, treated under the name T. strigilatus; this name was applied to female in same publication as, and just before, first use of viridis, but it was subsequently dropped in favour of present name on principle of first reviser. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

chionurus P. L. Sclater & Salvin, 1871 - Atlantic slope of W Panama through Canal Zone (whence on both slopes) to Colombia W of E Andes, and W Ecuador.
viridis Linnaeus, 1766 - E of Andes from Colombia S to Peru and N Bolivia, and E to the Guianas, Trinidad and E Brazil (Maranhão, N Mato Grosso, Alagoas, and Bahia to São Paulo).