The Quetzal, a bird native to the cloud forests of Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama, undoubtedly possesses a profound symbolic significance: the Maya considered it a sacred bird, kings wore headdresses made from tail feathers, such as the one used by Moctezuma.
Until a few years ago it was believed that by its nature, Pharamachrus mocinno-the quetzal’s scientific name, which means "large throat" - could not survive in captivity; however, a Mexican ornithologist, specializing in the diseases and physiology of birds and currently director of Programa de Conservación de especies de la Universidad Nacional de México (Program for the Conservation of Species of the Universidad Nacional de Mexico) has proven otherwise. After a long time of investigating the metabolism and behavior of these birds, Jesus Estudillo Lopez was able to hatch and rear several individuals in captivity, with this perhaps preventing the extinction of the species.
The first step was to break with a series of speculations about the impossibility of their survival outside their natural habitat. This was assumed because their relationship to their natural habitat was unknown. Because of their extreme fragility no mistakes could be allowed. Since they become stressed very easily, they require an extensive site where they can fly and feel protected.
In a greenhouse 50x40m and 8m high, Estudillo, created a replica of the Chimalapas a forest located between the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas, where a few individuals still live. Some plants were introduced from the region such as bromeliads, orchids, tree ferns and lichens. Here the quetzals share space with other species that live in areas with the same natural conditions such as pavón, a native of Chiapas, and the imperial dove from New Geneva, among others.
The hand of the Mexican ornithologist Jesus Estudillo feeding one of the quetzals in captivity, taken on "La Siberia", a 25 acre farm which has the largest private aviary in the world, home to approximately 600 bird species.
The research carried out by the scientist concluded with the following observation: the quetzals drink water that accumulates in bromeliads and orchids; they never leave the jungle and almost never drink water from the ground- only in times of drought when it accumulates in the hollows of the leaf covered ground when the water contains tannin, also known as tannic acid, that acts as an iron neutralizer.
It was decided to suppress the iron from their diet, occasionally adding a few drops of tannic acid to the water and to compensate the necessary proteins by the consumption of grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, infant mice and seasonal fruits such as guava, mango , papaya, etc.
The fundamental causes threatening the quetzal with extinction are attributed to its low rate of reproduction, and to the fact that they are very fragile. The chicks have a short period of incubation-between 18 to 19 days- thus, they are born in a precarious condition, without feathers and their eyes taking from 8 to 10 days to open. During this time they are fed by their parents and are very exposed to natural enemies such as the toucan and magpie. The adult quetzal has neither a strong beak nor claws to defend their young.
With the increase of predators and the changes that man has brought upon their environment in recent years, the quetzal population has notably diminished.
However, Jesus Estudillo, is optimistic: although the challenges are great, the results obtained so far are positive.
It is worth the effort, for their great beauty and for all that they represent. And remember that among the Maya and the Aztec quetzal feathers were used as an emblem of royalty and majesty. He who dared to kill a quetzal was punished by death. The tail of the male quetzal was more valuable than gold. It definitely possesses an incalculable cultural value.
http://www.gattostock.com/FVIAJE/reportaje/quetzales/quetzal1.html
Translation by G. S. Hinton H.
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