What does the word quetzal meaning?

The name quetzal is from Nahuatl quetzalli [keˈt͡salːi], “large brilliant tail feather” (American Audubon Dictionary) or “tail coverts of the quetzal” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary), from the Nahuatl root quetz = “stand up” used to refer to an upstanding plume of feathers.

Where does the word quetzal come from?

The word “quetzal” came from Nahuatl (Aztec), where quetzalli (from the root quetza = “stand”) meant “tall upstanding plume” and then “quetzal tail feather”; from that Nahuatl quetzaltotōtl means “quetzal-feather bird” and thus “quetzal”.

What is the quetzal in Guatemala?

The Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ) is the official currency of Guatremala, first appearing in 1924. The quetzal is a free floating currency, but was once pegged to the U.S. dollar and before that adhered to the gold standard. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America, and tenth-largest in Latin America.

How do you say this word quetzal?

What kind of animal is a quetzal?

bird
The resplendent quetzal is an aptly named bird that many consider among the world’s most beautiful. These vibrantly colored animals live in the mountainous, tropical forests of Central America where they eat fruit, insects, lizards, and other small creatures.

Is quetzal a name?

The name Quetzal is primarily a female name of Aztec origin that means Precious Flower, Queen.

What is the quetzal symbol?

Guatemalan quetzal
Plural quetzales
Symbol Q
Banknotes 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 quetzales
Coins 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos, 1 quetzal

Why was the quetzal important to the Mayans?

Its iridescent green tail feathers, symbols for spring plant growth, were venerated by the ancient Aztecs and Maya, who viewed the quetzal as the “god of the air” and as a symbol of goodness and light.

How do you pronounce the name Kinkajou?

Is quetzal a Mayan or Aztec?

The legendary status of the Resplendent Quetzal survives in various forms today. The name quetzal comes from the Aztec quetzalli, originally meaning tail-feather, and by transference “precious” or “beautiful”. Thus it is that the unit of monetary currency in Guatemala is the quetzal.

Is the quetzal the most beautiful bird in the world?

The quetzal is considered one of the most beautiful birds in the world. When you observe it in the wild, perched or flying in its native jungles, it’s hard to disagree. The male is unmistakable thanks to its long tail made up of fine feathers and that exceeds half a meter in length. … Quetzals nest in holes in old trees.

Are quetzals extinct?

Near Threatened (Population decreasing)
Resplendent quetzal / Conservation status

Is quetzal a magical bird?

The Resplendent Quetzal is an important symbol in both Aztec and Mayan culture. The trogon’s name is derived from the word quetzal, meaning “precious” or “sacred” in several Mesoamerican languages, so it’s no surprise this bird was considered divine.

What is the most beautiful bird in Mexico?

resplendent quetzal
The resplendent quetzal, a breathtakingly beautiful bird with tail feathers in males nearly twice the length of their bodies, once roamed through much of Southern Mexico and six other countries.

What bird Did the Mayans worship?

Turkeys
The star of the Thanksgiving table was revered by the Maya. Turkeys these days are mostly seen as vessels for stuffing on your Thanksgiving table. But in 300 B.C., the birds were viewed by the Maya as vessels of the gods and honored accordingly.

Why is the quetzal important?

These cultures revered the quetzal as the “god of the air,” and as symbols of light, freedom, and wealth. The Quetzal is highly emblematic in Guatemala. The coat of arms, flag, postage stamps, currency, and countless souvenirs all carry the image of the quetzal.

Can you have a quetzal as a pet?

Does the Quetzal Make a Good Pet. Quetzals are Endangered. They react very badly to being placed in captivity. Even established zoos have major problems keeping them to a standard where they will breed in captivity.

Do quetzals migrate?

The Quetzal is an altitudinal migrant and member of the Trogon family. They breed and nest from February to May in partially decayed trees of the tropical montane cloud forest, and then migrate to lower-altitudes during the non-breeding season.

What is the symbol in Guatemala?

The Guatemalan Symbol of Freedom: The Resplendent Quetzal. Worshipped by Mayas and Aztecs, the Quetzal is the symbol of Guatemala.

Which country has beautiful national bird?

National birds
Country Name of bird Scientific name
Hungary Saker falcon Falco cherrug
Iceland Golden plover Pluvialis apricaria
India Indian peacock Pavo cristatus
Indonesia Javan hawk-eagle Nisaetus bartelsi

What does the government do to protect the quetzal?

The quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird, is threatened by the loss of habitat and the National Protected Areas Council, or Conap, has launched an effort to stem the fragmentation of nesting and migration areas.

Which nations flag features a quetzal bird?

The Guatemalan coat of arms also was strikingly different; it featured as its principal symbol the national bird, the quetzal, although the scroll on which the quetzal rested contained the date of Central American independence, September 15, 1821.

What is the Guatemala volcano called?

Volcán de Agua
Volcán de Agua Guatemala
Geology
Mountain type Stratovolcano
Volcanic arc/belt Central America Volcanic Arc