Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno). San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica. March.

In a flurry of sawdust, this beautiful male Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) leaves the nest on a search for food for its two nestlings. The picture was taken at ~9000 feet in the San Gerardo de Dota region of Costa Rica. The tail streamers can be up to 26 inches long, but the bird shown lost its two longest tail streamers in a fight over territory that was witnessed by local guides.  The two remaining streamers will grow to full length before the next breeding season and two new short streamers will also develop.