Revered by pre-Columbian cultures throughout Central America, the resplendent Quetzal has been called the most beautiful bird on earth. Ancient Aztec and Maya Indians believed that the robin-size Quetzal protected them in battle. The males of this species have brilliant red breasts; iridescent emerald green heads, backs, and wings; and white tail feathers complemented by a pair of iridescent green tail feathers that are more than .5m (nearly 2 ft.) long.

The belief that these endangered birds live only in the dense cloud forests cloaking the higher slopes of Central America's mountains was instrumental in bringing many areas of cloud forest under protection as quetzal habitats. (Since then, researchers have discovered that the birds do not in fact spend their entire lives here.) After nesting, between March and July, resplendent quetzals migrate down to lower slopes in search of food. These lower slopes have not been preserved in most cases, and now conservationists are trying to salvage enough lower-elevation forests to help the quetzals survive. It is hoped that enough land will soon be set aside to ensure the perpetuation of this magnificent species.

Though for many years Monteverde Biological Cloud Forest Preserve was the place to see quetzals, throngs of people crowding the preserve's trails now make the pursuit more difficult. Other places where you can see quetzals are in the Los Angeles Cloud Forest Reserve near San Ramón, in Tapantí National Wildlife Refuge, and in Chirripó National Park. Perhaps the best place to spot a quetzal is at one of the specialized lodges located along the Cerro de la Muerte between San José and San Isidro de El General.