The birds are hunted for their feathers and skins. Despite protective laws, tourists and dealers keep illicit trade alive which encourages poaching. Also habitat destruction is destroying large tracts of the cloud rain forest, which is the prime nesting area of the quetzal. Nests are holes in trees with soft rotting wood. Because the quetzal does not have strong beaks and claws, they usually use the old homes of woodpeckers or toucans.
Quetzals are shy, quiet birds except during courtship.
At this time the males become more active with high spiral flights used to impress and attract the females. They chase the females through the trees of the cloud forest. The breeding season is during March, April, May, and June. They usually lay two eggs and both parents are responsible for raising the young. The main diet of the quetzal is fruit.