narina trojan | watercolour

The Narina Trogon is one of Africa’s most enchanting forest birds, known for its brilliant green, red, and bronze plumage that glows in dappled light. Despite its vivid colours, it lives a remarkably quiet, secretive life, often sitting motionless on a shaded branch where it becomes surprisingly hard to spot. Trogons hunt by watching patiently from a low perch, keeping perfectly still until an insect, caterpillar, or small lizard moves below. Then, with a short, silent swoop, they snatch their prey and return to the same perch — a calm, deliberate feeding rhythm unique to these gentle birds. They nest in natural cavities, often old woodpecker holes or soft, rotting tree trunks. A bonded pair works together to prepare the nest and raise their chicks, calling softly to one another with their distinctive, mellow notes. Graceful, elusive, and beautifully adapted to forest life, the Narina Trogon is a jewel of the African woodlands — seen only when it chooses to reveal itself.