Slaty-tailed trogon
VU

Slaty-tailed trogon

Trogon massena

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaty-tailed_trogon

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Slaty-tailed Trogon faces mounting pressure from accelerating deforestation across its Central American range, with lowland rainforests being converted to cattle pastures and agricultural plantations at unprecedented rates. Habitat fragmentation isolates populations and reduces breeding success, while the species' dependence on large, intact forest territories makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and shifting suitable habitat zones upslope, forcing populations into increasingly restricted refugia.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Slaty-tailed Trogon inhabits humid lowland and foothill rainforests from sea level to 1,200 meters elevation, preferring dense primary forest with a well-developed canopy structure. It requires large territories with abundant fruiting trees and suitable nesting cavities in dead wood, making it highly dependent on mature, undisturbed forest ecosystems.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Frequently asked questions

Why is Slaty-tailed trogon classified as Vulnerable?
Slaty-tailed trogon is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Slaty-tailed Trogon faces mounting pressure from accelerating deforestation across its Central American range, with lowland rainforests being converted to cattle pastures and agricultural plantations at unprecedented rates. Habitat fragmentation isolates populations and reduces breeding success, while the species' dependence on large, intact forest territories makes it particularly vulnerable to edge effects. Climate change compounds these threats by altering precipitation patterns and shifting suitable habitat zones upslope, forcing populations into increasingly restricted refugia.
Where does Slaty-tailed trogon live?
Slaty-tailed trogon occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Slaty-tailed trogon?
The main threats to Slaty-tailed trogon are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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