Revue Magazine 2010-11 (November)

PaCiFiC CoaSt » LaS LiSaS
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Two pale blue eggs, which measure
approximately 30 x 35mm, are deposited
on the floor of the unlined hole. Both the
male and female take turns with the work of
incubation, which takes 17 or 18 days.
When the nestlings hatch they are perfectly
naked with pink skin and closed eyes. Now
the parents spend their days bringing food
that consists at first primarily of insects and
other small invertebrates. After 10 days or
so their diet is enlarged to include a wide
variety of larvae, small frogs, lizards, snails
and fruits.
After three weeks the chicks are fully
feathered and ready to leave the nest, al-
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though often they will remain in the nest
for another week or so. As soon as they leave
the nest the chicks disappear with their
parents into the densest part of the forest,
which affords the safest refuge.
During nesting the quetzals are threatened
by a variety of predators, including weasels,
coatamundis, hawks and eagles.
There is a popular myth that the quetzal
nest is always equipped with two holes
so that the male does not damage his tail
feathers entering and leaving. In truth, the
nest usually has one entrance, and the male
does often damage his tail coming in and
out. Fortunately, the beautiful tail feathers
grow back.
It is also a myth that the quetzal cannot be
kept in captivity. Many zoos around the world
have maintained quetzals in their collections,
though to date only one successful breeding
in captivity has been reported.
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