Join ornithologist Alan Poole for an exploration into the life and history of the Resplendent Quetzal — a dazzling, legendary bird of the highland forests of Central America. Author of the recent book Quetzals: Icons of the Cloud Forest (2023), Poole will lead us through the nesting and feeding ecology of this renowned bird, its role in Mayan and Aztec religions, and how Resplendents fit into the increasingly threatened rain forests that sustain them. In addition, we’ll take a look at what lies ahead for this (and other) quetzals — how conservation efforts are giving them a boost in some regions, while in others the birds are struggling. This talk will touch on land use in Central America, especially Costa Rica, through a quetzal lens. No species does more to bring current land use trends in this region into focus. Understanding those trends is key to maintaining the viability of highland tropical forests in the Americas, and the quetzals that depend on them.

Alan Poole, Ph.D., an Associate of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, was editor of the Birds of North America life history series (18 volumes, 18,000 pages) for 22 years. In addition to his most recent book on quetzals, he also authored Ospreys: Revival of a Global Raptor, among other volumes. Poole lives along the coast of southeastern Massachusetts, and spends winters in the highlands of Costa Rica, where quetzals are a highlight.

A book signing will follow the program. This event is co-hosted by the Peabody Essex Museum and the Essex County Ornithological Club. A brief meeting of the club will be held from 7:30–7:45 pm. All are welcome to attend! The venue is the Morse Auditorium at the PEM.