Birds Active during the day

Citreoline Trogon

Trogon citreolus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

An endemic treasure of western Mexico, the Citreoline Trogon lights up the dry forest with its lemon-yellow plumage and unique habit of nesting in termite mounds.

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0 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 25–28 cm (10–11 in); Weight: 70–90 g (2.5–3.2 oz); Wingspan: 35–40 cm (14–16 in)

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Colors

Lemon-yellow belly; pale gray head and breast; metallic bronze-green back (male) or slate-gray back (female); tail is dark with large white panels on the underside; bright yellow eye-ring

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Key Features

Bright lemon-yellow belly
Prominent yellow eye-ring (orbital ring)
Large white rectangular patches on the undertail
Pale, stout bill
Upright, vertical perching posture

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 7-10 AM, 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Omnivorous; primarily feeds on large insects such as cicadas, caterpillars, and grasshoppers, supplemented by small tropical fruits and berries.

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Habitat Tropical deciduous forests, thorn scrub, forest edges, mangroves, and semi-open suburban areas with mature trees.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Citreoline Trogon Live?

This stunning bird is native to the North American continent and is found exclusively along the Pacific slope of Mexico. Its range extends from the southern reaches of Sonora down through the coastal lowlands to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and into western Chiapas. It is a permanent resident throughout this region, favoring the seasonally dry tropical forests characteristic of western Mexico.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

1 Countries

539K km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

MX Mexico

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

Citreoline Trogons are patient, relatively sedentary birds often described as 'stolid.' They spend long periods perched motionless on mid-canopy branches, scanning for prey. When they spot an insect or a piece of fruit, they take flight in a sudden, acrobatic 'sally-hover,' plucking the item from the foliage with their beak before returning to a nearby branch to consume it.

These birds are famous for being ecosystem engineers. They have a fascinating symbiotic relationship with termites, as they excavate their nesting cavities directly into active arboreal termite mounds. The termites seal off the birds' tunnel, creating a safe, insulated nesting chamber. While they are usually solitary or found in pairs, they are not particularly shy around humans and can often be observed in quiet suburban gardens or orchards.

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Camera Tips

To capture a Citreoline Trogon on camera, focus on the mid-story of the forest rather than the ground. Mount your camera 6 to 10 feet high on a tree trunk, angling the lens toward a horizontal 'perch' branch that has a relatively clear background. These birds love to sit on open branches that provide a wide view of the surrounding canopy, making them perfect subjects for trail cameras if the trigger speed is fast enough.

One of the best ways to attract them is to identify active arboreal termite mounds—which look like large, dark, bulbous growths on tree branches. During the nesting season (typically spring), trogons will frequently visit these mounds to excavate or tend to their nests. Placing a camera with a clear line of sight to a termite mound is the most reliable way to capture high-quality footage of their unique behavior.

For backyards, provide a water source with movement. A birdbath equipped with a solar-powered dripper or 'wiggler' can draw them down from the higher branches, especially during the dry season from February to May. They are also attracted to native fruiting trees like wild figs. If you have these in your yard, aim the camera at the fruiting clusters.

Use high-resolution video settings or a multi-shot burst mode. Trogons have a habit of flicking their tails rhythmically when they are alert or about to fly, and a single photo might miss this charismatic movement. Ensure your camera is placed in an area with 'dappled' sunlight; the morning sun between 7 AM and 9 AM will perfectly illuminate the yellow of their belly and the subtle iridescence of their wings.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Citreoline Trogon.

Black-headed Trogon

Very similar but found on the Caribbean/Gulf side of Mexico; it has a light blue eye-ring rather than yellow.

Elegant Trogon

Has a bright red belly and a red eye-ring, whereas the Citreoline is yellow in both areas.

Mountain Trogon

Found at much higher elevations in pine-oak forests and features a red belly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Citreoline Trogons are most active during the daylight hours, with peak activity occurring in the early morning from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and again in the late afternoon before sunset.

You can attract them by planting native Mexican fruiting trees like figs and providing a birdbath with dripping or moving water. Maintaining mature native trees provides the perching habitat they prefer.

Their diet consists of a variety of large insects like cicadas and caterpillars, as well as small tropical fruits which they pluck while hovering in mid-air.

Yes, they are quite adaptable and are frequently seen in suburban areas of western Mexico, especially in neighborhoods that have retained patches of native deciduous forest or large shade trees.

The easiest way to tell them apart is the color: Citreoline Trogons have a lemon-yellow belly and a yellow eye-ring, while Elegant Trogons have a bright red belly and a red eye-ring.

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