Fun Narina Trogon Facts For Kids

Compared to five billion people, there are more than 400 billion birds across the world. Among more than 10,000 species of birds around the world, a Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina, is one of them. It is a subspecies of the trogons or the cavity nesters. The family of trogons has various subspecies classified under several different genera. The several genera under the family Trogoniformes include Apaloderma, Euptilotis, Harpactes, Apalharpactes, Pharomachrus, Priotelus, and Trogon.  Furthermore, individual genus comprises various subspecies, for instance, Apaloderma is further classified into three subspecies, i.e. the Narina trogon (Apaloderma narina), bare-cheeked trogon (Apaloderma aequatoriale), and bar-tailed trogon (Apaloderma vittatum). The fossil references highlight the birds to date back to the early Eocene (56-33.9 mya).

Specifically, the Narina trogon is divided into four subspecies, i.e. Apaloderma narina constantia ranging throughout West Africa, especially Nigeria, Apaloderma narina brachyurum residing around eastern Africa, with distribution concentrating in Rift Valley, Apaloderma narina narina found in South Africa (Namibia), and Apaloderma narina littorale, which is quite common in the forest of East Africa. The birds are quite common in the southern parts of Africa. The bird has a few vernacular names in different languages like Bosloerie in South Africa, Couroucou Narina, or Couroucou à joues vertes in France. On the other hand, the name of the species is Narina trogon, wherein 'Narina' means a 'flower', resembling the beauty of the bird to the Khoikhoi mistress of a French ornithologist, while 'trogon' refers to cavity nesters.

The bird is brightly colored portraying sexual dimorphism, i.e. distinctive features of both the sexes – the male and the female – with a considerable difference in their plumage. If the uniqueness of the Narina trogon makes you interested to read more about similar species, you can read about ani bird and toco toucan.

What type of animal is a Narina trogon?

The Narina trogon, Apaloderma narina, is a species of trogons from the family Trogonidae. These birds are known as cavity nesters as they inhabit the nest built in natural holes dug in trees in the forest of the southern range of Africa. The species has four subspecies with a small distribution that is common around southern Africa: Apaloderma narina constantia, Apaloderma narina brachyurum, Apaloderma narina narina, and Apaloderma narina littorale.

What class of animal does a Narina trogon belong to?

The Narina trogons are species belonging to the class Aves, order Trogoniformes, and genus Apaloderma. The birds are reported to date back to the early 56-33.9 mya.

How many Narina trogons are there in the world?

While the current population size of the Narina trogon across the world is not quantified, the birds remain one of the species listed as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The fossil references highlight the fact that the birds date back to the early Eocene, and are at no serious risk except elephants and humans impacting negatively on their natural habitat and competition with common starling for nesting sites in the urban areas.

Where does a Narina trogon live?

While species of trogon inhabit the tropical and subtropical forests mainly in North America, Asia, and Africa, the Narina trogon range map, in specific, highlights parts of Southern Africa. The birds are found in small distribution around Namibia, the north of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and the southern states of Africa. Also, their nesting sites of birds extend towards the south of Ghana to Ethiopia and further south of Angola.

What is a Narina trogon's habitat?

The Narina trogon habitat mainly comprises a large distribution of forests. The bird is reported nesting in the subtropical and tropical lowland, shrubland, riverine forest, montane forest, and highland valley. The bird nests in cavities in the tree or the termite nest, which are quite difficult to be spotted.

Who do Narina trogons live with?

The trogon from the family Trogonidae is speculated to be a solitary nester as it mainly nests either solitary or in strong breeding pairs. On the contrary, the birds residing in the nest in the forest remain one of the poorly studied regarding their temperament or their lifestyle.

How long does a Narina trogon live?

The Narina trogon birds nest on the tree do not have an estimated lifespan. However, a pink cockatoo is speculated to live up to the maximum number of years, at approximately 80 years.

How do they reproduce?

The species of the trogon nest in the tree cavities, wherein the birds are reportedly breeding and incubating their eggs. Three to seven Narina trogon male species chase their potential mates in flight, while the females identify their potential mates among the flock of the male species. On the contrary, the breeding cycle of the species is poorly studied. The eggs are laid by the females in a clutch varying from two to four eggs per season. The eggs are incubated by both the sexes, the male and female. The eggs hatch into small immature birds within 16-21 days. Furthermore, the chicks are fed their diet by the male species and the chicks are offered food thrice a day. The birds leave the nest and the tree after 25-28 days, but stay with the adult male and female species for months even when they are able to forage their own food.

What is their conservation status?

According to the current records, the Narina trogon is categorized as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The species is at no risk of being Endangered as are recorded to survive competition with the common starlings and habitat destruction caused by elephants and humans.

What do Narina Trogons look like?

The bird has brightly colored plumage portraying sexual dimorphism. The male species of birds are brighter than the females. The upper parts of both the sexes are green in color and the tail feathers are recorded to have a blue gloss. The wings are gray with a white under-tail. Either eye of the females is orbited by blue skin, while males have green eye flanges. The female has a brown face and immature birds resemble the female. While the Narina trogon appearance is similar to the bare-cheeked trogon, it differs from a bare-cheeked trogon as it has large yellow skin patches around its bill with several small blue-green spots.

How cute are they?

Since the birds are brightly colored, they are considered one of the adorable species. It is considered quite difficult to take off the eyes from the birds once sighted. The name of the birds also signifies and justifies the beauty of the birds.

How do they communicate?

The birds communicate using vocalizations such as various breeding calls and songs. The birds are speculated to be able to sing in a soft deep call sounding 'huoooo-huoooo'. Also, the call is used to defend territory and also to attract its potential mates. The throats of the birds are recorded to expand and also fluff out their breast feathers.

How big is a Narina trogon?

The Narina trogons are as long as 12.5-13.3 in (32-34 cm). On the contrary, an ostrich is one of the longest birds residing near wetlands. The length of an ostrich is reported to vary between 5.5-9.2 ft (66-110 in).

How fast can a Narina trogon fly?

The birds are known to nest in cavities of the tree, they are speculated to fly up to a considerable height. While the flying speed of the birds remains undeciphered, the peregrine falcon is reported to fly up to the speed of 200-242 mph (322-390 kph).

How much does a Narina trogon weigh?

The Narina trogons weigh around 1.7-3.3 oz (51-95 g), which is considered quite negligible in comparison to the kori bustard. The weight of the kori bustard range within 12-40 lb (5.4-18  kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The Narina trogon female and Narina trogon male do not have a sex-specific name.

What would you call a baby Narina trogon?

A baby bird can be called a chick, fledgling, hatchling, or nestling.

What do they eat?

The Narina trogon diet comprises a large variety of small insects and invertebrates. Food such as butterflies, moths, grasshoppers, stick insects, mantids, other small invertebrates is some of the primary components of its diet.

Are they dangerous?

The species of birds are not reported to possess any danger to humans. On the contrary, it can be dangerous to insects and invertebrates as they are the primary food it preys and forages upon.

Would they make a good pet?

The birds prefer to nest in the wild open forests and are thus advised to not be petted and keep them free.

Did you know...

The species was first documented in 1815 by Stephens, an English naturalist, and entomologist.

Do Narina trogons migrate?

It is quite vague to specify whether the Narina trogon migrate. The birds are not reported to migrate but may fly over small distances for foraging food or protecting their territory.

Why is it called Narina trogon?

While 'trogon' has a Greek origin meaning 'nibbling', it reflects the cavity nesters as the species nests in natural holes in the trees, the word 'Narina' refers to the beauty of the species, and their beauty is designated to the Khoikhoi mistress of François Levaillant, a French ornithologist. The word 'Narina' means a 'flower'.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these palm warbler facts and cockatoo facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Narina trogon coloring pages.