Malabar Trogon (Harpactes fasciatus)

Malabar Trogon (Harpactes fasciatus) in the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kerala, India. February 2015. Not baited. Called once by our guide.

The Malabar Trogon (Harpactes fasciatus) is a very special bird. During my trip to Kerala I understood this bird is a real star for local nature lovers and international birders. Our birding guide at Thattekad Bird Sanctuary considers it as the main highlight of the park. The Malabar Trogon (Harpactes fasciatus) is elusive, incredibly beautiful and becoming rarer unfortunately. It is also the cover of my birding book "Birds of Southern India" by Richard Grimmett and Tim Inskipp. 

Our guide and us were very excited to spot this stunning male that morning. First he heard it, then he called it once to understand more precisely its location. We walked towards it not knowing where it was and finally he spotted it.

Love Nature.
Jonathan