Everyone’s favorite neo-tropical bird is the Resplendent Quetzal…if you were to ask anyone…anyone, from the most casual $49 Bushnell binocular birder to the most dedicated Swarovski ‘I-do-this-for-a-living’ Cornell ornithologist, if you were to ask them this one question…

‘Tell me…where does the Quetzal build its nest?’

This is the answer you’d get:

‘Oh, that’s easy!  The Resplendent Quetzal always builds its nest in an excavated hole, high up in a dead or decomposing tree.  Geez, I thought EVERYONE knew that.  GEEZ!’

And so it was…until a couple of days ago.

A couple of days ago, that answer became only a portion of the correct response to that very question.

Up on the Cerro de la Muerte of Costa Rica in a high altitude location known as the Zona Protectora Río Navarro–Río Sombrero, a pair of Quetzals were observed (and continue to be observed) diving into and out of an excavated embankment tunnel nest!  (see below)

(photo courtesy of the great Serge Arias)

Once again, we are compelled to acknowledge this truism:

‘Science is never truly settled.’

Science must always remain open to the discovery of new observations, new data and then must modify itself based upon that new data.

Okay, this Quetzals nesting in excavated embankment tunnels discovery may not be the biggest scientific discovery of the millennium…or even of the week…but it should serve as a reminder to us that what is accepted and true today, may not be quite so true and accepted tomorrow.

By the way, this discovery was made by some regular folks…CITIZEN SCIENTISTS!  So my friends, keep your eyes wide open and keep your $49 Bushnell binoculars (or whatever you have) within reach.

ps: My hypothesis (which is just an educated guess) as to why this pair of Resplendent Quetzals modified their behavior and chose to place their nest in an excavated embankment tunnel rather than high up in a dead or decaying tree is this:

The Resplendent Quetzal numbers must be on the increase (at least here in Costa Rica).  This bird is so revered, so coveted and protected that…maybe…the suitable, traditional nesting trees are all occupied with other Resplendent Quetzals.  Any port in a storm, as they say.

Clever birds.  Survival goes to the adaptable.