Breeding behavior of elegant trogons in southeastern Arizona

Abstract

We studied the behavior and phenology of nesting Elegant Trogons (Trogon elegans) in the Chiricahua, Huachuca, and Santa Rita mountains in southeastern Arizona in 1993 and 1994. We found 34 nests and 11 cavities that were investigated by trogons but never occupied. Adults reared young successfully in 24 nests, but abandoned 5 nests after egg laying; 5 nests had unknown fates. Incubation lasted an average of 19 days; feeding of young Lasted 15 days. Nesting phenology was extremely variable: six nests were started in May and contained nestlings or had fledged young by late June; eight nests were started in June and finished by late July; six nests were started in July and had fledged young by late August. Rates and durations of incubation, brooding, and feeding of nestlings were equal between adult male and female trogons except in two cases. Rates between years were different in six cases. Males called significantly more often than females. Elegant Trogons nesting in Arizona have different behaviors from other Neotropical members of the Trogonidae, especially with regards to their durations of incubation and feeding. Also, they feed nestlings insects rather than fruit.