STREAMERS OF GLITTERING GREEN
by Wally Van Sickle

High on the ridge top a male resplendent quetzal (pronounced ket-saal’) (Pharomachrus mocinno costaricensis) leaves the security of the canopy and steeply rises into a spectacular display flight. Vocalizations, “Keow keow keow,” catch the ear of nearby females looking for a suitable nest and partner. Like streamers on a kite, long flexible tail coverts extend far beyond the male’s tail and accentuate his aerial maneuvers. These tail feathers are glittering green and almost three feet long. Sunlight accentuates their iridescent allure. With a quick twist the bird abruptly changes direction and flies back towards the dense protective foliage of the Costa Rican cloud forest.

While perched, the male quetzal is equally spectacular. Like a Mohawk warrior, a laterally compressed crest extends from a bright yellow beak to the nape of the neck. Magnificent green coloration, from head to tail, contrasts markedly with a crimson red belly. Plumage is soft and dense. All of these attributes easily explain why many bird enthusiasts consider quetzals the most beautiful bird on the planet. And, Mayan culture gave spiritual significance to their tail feathers and actually incorporated them in ceremonial headdresses. It is possible Mayans selectively bred them with tail length in mind.

Damp, epiphyte-laden branches dominate the canopy. Despite the myriad of green disguise, a female quickly locates the male. Intermittent rapid wing beats carry her to his location. She perches upright in perfect posture with her much shorter tail directed straight down. After an initial inspection the pair investigates a cavity in the trunk of a nearby tree – 90 feet above the forest floor. She is pleased with his physical attributes and premiere nest site: another generation of quetzals is assured.

MICHAEL GARCIA ROJAS

In two short years of working in the Costa Rican highlands, Michael Garcia Rojas gained near celebrity status. His magnetic personality drew attention from all who knew him. Warm welcomes were the norm. Children greeted him on the way to school, local families frequently invited him to share meals, and one family even provided lodging during the course of his study. Everybody loved, and loves, Michael. As he conducted the fieldwork for his Masters degree in wildlife management, he sparked an interest in conservation in everyone he knew.

His personal affinity for making the most of every available resource even allowed him to procure transportation both within and to his study area. His study area was large and required moving from place to place on a very meager budget. He rode public buses, borrowed trucks from a local eco-tourism operator, rode horseback, and on one occasion hitched a ride in the cab of a Lebanese truck driver hauling several thousand pounds of palm flowers.

Field logistics are not Michael’s only strong point. His exemplary grades won him a scholarship to attend one of Latin America’s premier wildlife management programs. His extensive botanical knowledge was obvious as he identified and tagged hundreds of plants within his study area. Extensive knowledge of Spanish and English complemented his knowledge of natural history. He even volunteered as a translator for the 2001 Central American Conservation Biology Symposium.

HOW IDEA WILD MADE A DIFFERENCE

In the Talamanca mountain range within the La Amistad Biosphere Reserve lies the Savagre watershed. Heavily forested slopes reduce erosion and insure clean water to all those downstream. The hydroelectric potential of the area is being evaluated and a portion of Michael’s work is to evaluate the effect of various plans on the local flora and fauna.

The title of Michael’s work is “Habitat Evaluation for Quetzal in the Savagre Watershed, Costa Rica, for Conservation Purposes.” Goals include determining habitat variables related to the quetzal’s presence, estimating the quetzal’s density in different sectors, generating a map of the quetzal’s potential distribution, mapping habitat types, and determining the traditional knowledge and perceptions of the quetzal as a resource in the local communities.

Michael chose the quetzal because it is a “flagship species.” Focusing on an animal that only inhabits a specific ecosystem and has charismatic appeal can maximize conservation efforts. The quetzal is both endemic to the region and has obvious charisma. Michael used binoculars, a global positioning system, and aluminum plant tags for his research. Generous IDEA WILD donors provided this equipment for him.

His work with quetzals was so well received that before he even finished his thesis, he was offered a permanent position at the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad y Telecomunicaciones (ICE). This state institution is in charge of the development of electrical power generation projects. His position within the company as a wildlife biologist is key to assuring conservation efforts will continue to play a role in the future development of Costa Rican watersheds.

Project Cost $372

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