The trogons (family Trogonidae) are a family of birds belonging to the monotypic order Trogoniformes distributed across tropical regions across the globe. These birds are strictly arboreal and generally inactive, sitting still on branches in the canopy for long periods. This behavior makes it often difficult to spot them, despite the bright-colored plumage of all members of the family. They are monogamous, breed in tree holes and defend their territories, so they are often best detected by their voice.

The family comprises 47 species in 7 genera. Genus Apaloderma (3 species) includes mostly green birds endemic to Afrotropical forests. Genera Apalharpactes (2 species) and Harpactes (10 species) are all distributed along the Indomalayan realm, the first genus including mostly yellow and the last red birds. However, the largest diversity of the genus takes place in the New World. Genera Euptilotis (1 species) and Pharomachrus (5 species) are known as quetzals and sport shiny green and red plumages, as the Antillean endemic genus Priotelus (2 species). Genus Trogon (24 species) includes an array of mostly blue and yellow birds distributed all across the Neotropics.

Female in Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala, India, 6 Jan 2025

Malabar trogon

Harpactes fasciatus

Endemic to the tropical forests of Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats, with other disjunct populations across south India. The vent is bright red in males and cinnamon brown in females. I have seen this species in India.

Male in Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, 20 Jul 2024

Whitehead’s trogon

Harpactes whiteheadi

Endemic to montane rainforests of central and north Borneo, with a very restricted distribution range. Both sexes show a distinct silver bib. Among trogons, it is a particularly silent species. I have observed this species in Borneo.

Female in Kinabatangan River, Sabah, Malaysia, 18 Jul 2024

Scarlet-rumped trogon

Harpactes duvaucelii

Distributed along lowland and foothill broadleaf forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Both sexes show a dark head — brown in females and jet black in males. I have encountered this species in Borneo.

Male in Bukit Fraser, Pahang, Malaysia, 11 Jul 2024

Red-headed trogon

Harpactes erythrocephalus

Found in montane forests from the Himalayas and east China south to the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. Males sport a dark red head. I have seen this species in Peninsular Malaysia.