The beautiful and elusive quetzal is one of Central America's most striking and remarkable animal denizens. Native to the jungle highlands of Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Belize, today the quetzal is not the most widely-known tropical bird; however, it has a long history of admiration and even reverence from native peoples stretching back to the Aztec and Maya empires of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The encroaching presence of man and the constant danger of hungry predators has made it a rare animal, difficult for the average tourist to glimpse, but well worth the effort to any fan of exotic birds or natural beauty.
Origin of the Name
Six species of quetzal are known to science, the largest and most well-known being the resplendent quetzal. Growing to over 30 centimeters, its name comes from the Nahuatl word for "to stand up;" perhaps this was the ancient Aztecs' method of noting the long and sometimes upraised tail feathers that are one of the bird's most distinctive features. The quetzal is not listed as an endangered species, but its natural environment is under constant siege by encroaching human development, and many conservationists are doubly worried that the quetzal's low reproductive rate could spell ecological disaster for the species in the not-too-distant future.
Feathers of the Gods
The ancient Mesoamericans knew and widely respected the quetzal, which shared its name with some of the Maya and Aztec religions' most important deities. Kukulkan and Quetzalcoatl were both gods described as feathered serpents, whose birdlike qualities most likely derived from observing the quetzal's unusual and attractive coloration and plumage. The god Quetzalcoatl was famously the Aztec god of learning and rebirth, and was mythologically responsible for the creation of humanity and for providing it with life-sustaining maize, the practice of farming having been developed by the Mayans thousands of years before the first Europeans set foot on the continent.
Treetop Treasury
Not only is the Quetzal the national bird of Guatemala, but the country's currency has shared its name since 1925, when President Jose Maria Orellana instituted the quetzal as a replacement for the peso. Both coin and bill forms of the quetzal exist, and it is divided into 100 centavos, or "lenes" as they are popularly known. The bills themselves do not carry the image of the quetzal, but rather famous leaders and historical scenes important to Guatemalan national identity.
Finding Rare Treasure
Searching out the quetzal in the wild is an exercise in patience; the key to the quetzal's survival has always been an ability to blend in to its surroundings. Despite the bird's iridescent green plumage and bright red belly, it is quite adept at disappearing into the jungle foliage, and expeditions to glimpse this rare and beautiful bird are best attempted with the help of an expert guide. The quetzal's natural habitat excludes the hot lowlands of the northern Yucatan peninsula; while planning a trip to the region, consider contacting a local bird-watching society, who can advise the best locations and seasons for searching out the quetzal in its jungle home. If your aim is merely to hear the quetzal's song, you can do so at many popular Maya ruin sites like Kukulkan pyramid or the plaza at Tikal. Just clap your hands, and the call of the quetzal will greet your ears, echoing across the aged stone relics just as it must have long ago, when those cities were full of life and toil under the tropical Mexican sun.
Origin of the Name
Six species of quetzal are known to science, the largest and most well-known being the resplendent quetzal. Growing to over 30 centimeters, its name comes from the Nahuatl word for "to stand up;" perhaps this was the ancient Aztecs' method of noting the long and sometimes upraised tail feathers that are one of the bird's most distinctive features. The quetzal is not listed as an endangered species, but its natural environment is under constant siege by encroaching human development, and many conservationists are doubly worried that the quetzal's low reproductive rate could spell ecological disaster for the species in the not-too-distant future.
Feathers of the Gods
The ancient Mesoamericans knew and widely respected the quetzal, which shared its name with some of the Maya and Aztec religions' most important deities. Kukulkan and Quetzalcoatl were both gods described as feathered serpents, whose birdlike qualities most likely derived from observing the quetzal's unusual and attractive coloration and plumage. The god Quetzalcoatl was famously the Aztec god of learning and rebirth, and was mythologically responsible for the creation of humanity and for providing it with life-sustaining maize, the practice of farming having been developed by the Mayans thousands of years before the first Europeans set foot on the continent.
Treetop Treasury
Not only is the Quetzal the national bird of Guatemala, but the country's currency has shared its name since 1925, when President Jose Maria Orellana instituted the quetzal as a replacement for the peso. Both coin and bill forms of the quetzal exist, and it is divided into 100 centavos, or "lenes" as they are popularly known. The bills themselves do not carry the image of the quetzal, but rather famous leaders and historical scenes important to Guatemalan national identity.
Finding Rare Treasure
Searching out the quetzal in the wild is an exercise in patience; the key to the quetzal's survival has always been an ability to blend in to its surroundings. Despite the bird's iridescent green plumage and bright red belly, it is quite adept at disappearing into the jungle foliage, and expeditions to glimpse this rare and beautiful bird are best attempted with the help of an expert guide. The quetzal's natural habitat excludes the hot lowlands of the northern Yucatan peninsula; while planning a trip to the region, consider contacting a local bird-watching society, who can advise the best locations and seasons for searching out the quetzal in its jungle home. If your aim is merely to hear the quetzal's song, you can do so at many popular Maya ruin sites like Kukulkan pyramid or the plaza at Tikal. Just clap your hands, and the call of the quetzal will greet your ears, echoing across the aged stone relics just as it must have long ago, when those cities were full of life and toil under the tropical Mexican sun.
About the Author:
Linda Patterson is a birding enthusiast from the USA. The Mexican Yucatan Peninsula offers amazing birding opportunities. Check these birding tours Yucatan for more information on this great destination.
No comments:
Post a Comment