n. pl. quet·zalsor quet·za·les (-sälās) 1. Any of several tropical American birds of the genera Pharomachrus and Euptilotis having brilliant bronze-green and red plumage and, in the male, long flowing tail feathers, especially P. mocinno of Central America. 2. See Table at currency. [Latin American Spanish, from Nahuatl quetzalli, long green quetzal tail feather, from quetza, to stand up, raise up, from Proto-Uto-Aztecan *kwïtï-, to get up; compare Serrano kwïçk and Southern Paiute kwïrï.] (click for a larger image) quetzalmale resplendent quetzal Pharomachrus mocinno |
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