The quetzal is approximately 14 inches in body length, about the size of a pigeon. Both sexes are primarily an iridescent emerald green, which camouflages them in the green of the forest canopy. Males sport a head crest, red breast feathers and may have tail coverts well over three feet long, while females are duller, have fewer red breast feathers and short tailplumes. One of the major gods of the Toltec-Maya peoples was Quetzalcoatl, who is depicted wearing the long tail plumes of the male quetzal. The Aztec of Mexico restricted the use of the tail plumes to royalty and nobility.
Quetzals are usually very quiet and shy.
During courtship they are much more active with males flying skyward in ling spiral flights trying to impress and attract females. Males will also chase females through the trees of the cloud forest. The breeding season is between March and June. Nests are usually located in old woodpecker or toucan holes. Because they do not have strong beaks and claws, they must find holes in trees with soft rotting wood.