Sumatran Trogon

Salomon Muller, a German ornithologist (1804-1864), discovered Apalharpactes mackloti in 1835 and named it in honour of his friend Heinrich Christian Macklot who he travelled with in the Sunda Islands. The Sumatran Trogon is very similar to the Java Trogon and they form the Apalharpactes genus; they are the only two Asian trogons that present metallic hues. Sumatran Trogons measure 30 cm and exceptionaly, and unlike most trogons, the sexual dimorphism is not so marked for this species. The male has a red-vermillion beak which is extended by a blue-green skin protrusion that highlights the eye. The orbital circle is very wide and its remarkable cobalt blue colour contrasts with the dark brown iris. The forehead, crown and back of the neck are brownish-grey with olive green tints which translates to the chest and surrounds the bright yellow throat. The mantle, scapulars and upper back are green with metallic blue reflections while an unusual brown belt-like pattern wraps around the back and onto the green rump. The black feather tips have large pale yellow horizontal vermiculations and the three external rectrices are steel blue edged with white. The central rectrices are metallic blue-green and are often seen as blue in the light. The female is quite similar with the male, but lacks the brown dorsal belt and has darker green coverts, while the vermiculations are more brownish-beige than yellow. Juveniles have a very dark brownish-grey colouration with some blue-green feathers on the back, the belly is cinnamon brown with white spots and the scapulars and coverts are vermiculated with brown and white. The outer rectrices are black bordered with white on the tips, whereas the bill is brown.