Masked Trogon

The Masked Trogon is a striking resident of Ecuador’s humid montane forests, found from roughly 700 to 3,600 meters on both Andean slopes, where it favors shaded understory and forest edges. It occurs year-round and is locally common, though often overlooked due to its quiet demeanor and preference for dense cover. Globally listed as Least Concern, its population appears stable despite localized habitat loss, thanks to its broad elevational range and forest tolerance. Nesting in rotting tree trunks, the species lays two white eggs, with both sexes sharing incubation duties—males by day, females by night—reflecting a subtle but fascinating rhythm of parental care.