In the Cloud Forest of the Bird of the Gods
Animal Observations in Guatemala (1997)
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List of species:
Braunrückenklarino, Myadestes obscurus, Brown-backed Solitaire
Einsiedler-Zaunkönig, Henicorhina leucophrys, Grey-breasted Wood-Wren
Rostbrauen-Zaunkönig, Troglodytes solstitialis, Rufous-browed Wren
Diamantrüssler (Grüner Rüsselkäfer), Curculionidae
Helikonius-Schmetterling, Heliconius
Glasflügelfalter, Ithomiidae
Morgenammer, Brachyspiza capensis, Rufous-collared Sparrow
Elliotelfe, Atthis ellioti, White-throated Hummingbird
Guatemala-Brüllaffe, Alouatta villosa, Guatemalan Howler
Rotnackendrossel, Merula rufitorques, Rufous-collared Robin
Paka, Agouti paca, Paca
Krokodilschleiche – Baumschleiche, Abronia spec.
Spannerraupe, Geometridae
Silberner Laubkäfer, Plusiotis spec.
Quetzal – Göttervogel, Pharomachrus mocinno (Ph. resplendens), Quetzal
Zwergnatter, Tantilla spec.
Pilzzungensalamander (Schleuderzungensalamander), Bolitoglossa spec.
Rotbinden-Tausendfüßer, Chilognatha spec.
Stachelleguan, Sceloporus spec.
Fettkraut, Pinguicula spec.
Schieferklarino, Myadestes unicolor, Slaty Solitaire
Lanzenotter, Bothrops spec.
Dickschnabelkolibri, Eugenes fulgens, Magnificent Hummingbird
Bronzetrogon, Trogonurus mexicanus, Mountain Trogon
Smaragd-Arassari, Aulacorhynchus prasinus, Emerald Toucanet
Blattschrecke (Langfühlerschrecke), Pseudophyllus spec.
Nasenbär, Nasua narica, Coati
Schulterfleck-Laubkäfer, Rutelinae
About the film:
The camera team spent nine weeks together with a seven-member Indian family in a cramped hut at 2,300 meters, in order to discover the lost animal world of the Guatemalan cloud forest – specifically the world of the shy Quetzal, the Mayans’ bird of the Gods.
Although the volcanic hills of this tropical mountain rainforest in central Guatemala belong to the best Quetzal regions of Central America, they are not remotely protected. The Kekchi Indians, who live there, are destroying the Quetzal forest piece by piece by carrying out brand clearing – all this in order to nourish their constantly growing families.
In order to protect the mountain rainforest from further destruction, the German biologist David Unger founded “Proyecto Quetzal” – not against the Kekchi Indians, however, but rather in strict cooperation with them.
After a rocky start, the first signs of success have been seen: most of the Indians are actively helping with the project and are no longer participating in brand clearing, since they can achieve better results on a similarly sized land area.
With this comes great hope of permanent retention of not only the bird of the Gods, but also the rest of the one-of-a-kind animal world in the cloud forest, such as the two Brown-backed and Slaty Solitaires, the Magnificent and the White-throated Hummingbird, the Coati and the Paca, the Guatemalan Howler and many snakes.
