The Quetzal: A Majestic Symbol of Cultural Heritage and Natural Beauty
The quetzal is widely regarded as one of the most stunning birds native to Mexico and Central America. Beyond its beauty, it carries deep historical and cultural significance, having been closely associated with the ancient deity Kukulkan.
The Mayans referred to this sacred bird as Q’uk’umatz, meaning “the feathered serpent.” Alongside this name, they left behind depictions of the quetzal in flight—like those recently captured from the perfect angle along the Corozal border in Chiapas. These breathtaking images quickly spread across social media, captivating viewers worldwide.Flight tickets
A Mystical Flight: Quetzal or Dementor?
On April 12th, a striking silhouette appeared in the skies above a community in Frontera Corozal, Chiapas. At first glance, it resembled a Dementor from the Harry Potter series, but in reality, it was the mesmerizing flight of a quetzal, caught at just the right moment by a local observer. The image rapidly went viral, drawing attention to the plight of this endangered species.Flight tickets
Because of the unusual angle and lighting, many viewers humorously imagined a touch of wizardry leaking into the real world. Some even speculated that the bird was a spectral figure, drifting in search of memories. Notably, just a month earlier, a quetzal had been relocated from Mexico City’s Cuauhtémoc borough to its new home at the Miguel Álvarez del Toro Zoo.
The Quetzal: Nature’s Living Jewel
This monogamous bird makes its home in tropical and subtropical forests, feeding on aguacatillos, insects, mollusks, lizards, and frogs. However, it faces numerous predators—such as emerald toucanets, squirrels, owls, hawks, and eagles. Its greatest threat, unfortunately, remains humans, who capture it for the pet trade, unaware that quetzals cannot survive in captivity. They will stop eating and ultimately perish when caged.