An Uncertain Future Quetzals face many threats to their survival. Te most serious is loss of habitat. Many of their forests have been chopped down. Now areas where quetzals live are


separated from each other. Tis makes it hard for quetzals to find food or find a mate.


WORDWISE


Aztec: American Indian people dominant in Mexico before the Spanish conquest of the 16th century


culture: the customs, beliefs, laws, and ways of living that belong to a people


Mayan: Mesoamerican Indian people inhabiting southeast Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, whose civilization reached its height around AD 300-900


Other Threats Predators are also a problem. Weasels, squirrels, and even other birds eat quetzal eggs or chicks. Adults are hunted by owls, hawks, and wild cats. Some people hunt quetzals for


their feathers or for food. Others try to sell the birds as pets. Tis is illegal. Quetzals oſten die in captivity.


Male quetzals have long, streaming tail feathers. Females do not.


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