Javan Trogon (Apalharpactes reinwardtii) is an endemic bird to western part of Java Island. The forests of Mt. Halimun, Mt. Salak, Mt. Gede-Pangrango, Mt. Patuha-Tilu, Mt. Wayang, Mt. Papandayan, and Ciwidey were places where the presence of Javan Trogon was monitored. However, out of those seven spots, Mt. Halimun is the only location where effortless search of this species can be obtained.
Bright color in plumage, this bird gives an easy identification. Turquoise color dominates its upper body, all the way to its dark blue tail. Almost the entire bottom part is covered in yellow, leaving its chest colored in dark green. Red beak and blue bare-skin that circled its eyes enhancing its beauty.
This member of Trogoniidae family was once lumped together with the Sumatran Trogon in a single species, but morphological differences have led to the two being split. Compared to its Sumatran cousin, the Javan Trogon is smaller in size. The adult bird can reach 34 centimeters in length.
The population of Javan Trogon has shrunk to a few hundred couples, with the estimation of more than 250 adult individuals residing in the forests of Mt. Gede and Mt. Halimun (C. Robson in litt. 2013). Despite most of its habitat having been established as protected areas, the population number is expected to decline if the forest conversion to agricultural land and settlements continues. Threat list grows longer with continued illegal catching.
The Indonesian Government has added the Javan Trogon to the list of protected birds by issuing the Government Regulation No 7 of 1999 concerning Preservation of Plants and Animals. In line with this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared this species as a globally endangered species with Vulnerable (VU) status.
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Javan Trogon is featured on the February 2017 edition of Burung Indonesia’s Wallpaper. Help us to raise the public’s awareness on this endangered bird.