Eared Quetzal (Euptilotis neoxenus), Rucker Canyon, Cochise County

This Eared Quetzal was one of two (an immature male and a female) that were relocated in Rucker Canyon on 16 August, 2020, by Jane Addis and Larry Scritchfield, and photographed here by Gary Rosenberg on 30 August 2020. This apparent pair is almost certainly the same individuals that have been roaming around in the Chiricahua Mountains since the original discovery in Herb Martyr in June. One or both of the individuals have been seen in Pinery Canyon, at Barfoot Park, and elsewhere, before seemingly settling down (for the time being) in Rucker Canyon.

Eared Quetzal is casual to the mountains of Arizona with 25 previously accepted records. Majority of records are from the late 1980's/early 90's in southeast Arizona (though it has occurred into central Arizona) with a decline in records in recent years.

30 August 2020, photo by Gary Rosenberg