Quetzal

/kwˈɛtsə‍l/

/kwˈɛtsəl/

Quetzal

a colorful bird species known for its vibrant plumage, long tail feathers, and cultural significance in Mesoamerican civilizations

synonyms : quetzal bird

What is a "quetzal"?

A quetzal is an awe-inspiring bird species that inhabits the lush rainforests of Central America. Renowned for its stunning beauty, the quetzal boasts vibrant plumage, with males displaying a striking combination of iridescent green feathers on their back and a crimson or golden breast. One of its most notable features is its long, resplendent tail feathers, which can exceed the bird's body length and cascade gracefully as they fly through the forest canopy. Quetzals are arboreal creatures, often found perched on high branches, where they feed on a diet primarily consisting of fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. Due to their preference for mature cloud forests, quetzals play a vital role in seed dispersal, contributing to the forest's regeneration. In addition to its natural magnificence, the quetzal holds great cultural significance in the Mesoamerican civilizations, where it was revered as a sacred bird and symbol of freedom and wealth.

the basic unit of money in Guatemala; equal to 100 centavos

Examples

1. This is Quetzal.

2. Then I wanted to show you the spectacular Resplendent quetzal, at here's a male from Honduras, but this bird is a national bird of Guatemala.

3. Meanwhile, Tecciztecatl flaunted his riches, using magnificent jade spines and branches adorned with iridescent quetzal feathers for his own blood offering.

4. Researchers have even found that there are specific frequencies in the sound of a clap that diffract in just the right way to return the frequencies in a quetzal call.