This close relative of the Resplendant Quetzal of Central America is uncommon and sometimes local, ranging from Colombia and Venezuela, south along the spine of the Andes into Bolivia. A premontane species, the Crested Quetzal is found in pristine cloud forest and mature second-growth forests in the upper tropical and temperate zones, from 1,200 to 3,000m. It is generally found at lower elevations than the Golden-headed Quetzal. Males are bright, metallic green overall, with a scarlet belly and vent with a clean white undertail, and have a short bushy crest over a yellow bill. Females are similar, but lack their dusky brown heads lack the bushy crests, and only the lower belly is red, with a brown upper belly and some green in the breast. The undertails of females are mostly dark brown with some white barring in the outer webbing. Both sexes have long, plume-like wing and tail coverts that hide the dark remiges and central tail feathers when perched. Juveniles are dark overall with buffy markings throughout and a tawny belly. Males are distinguished from Golden-headed by the all white undertail, while females show less distinct white tips in the rectrices, and less green in the breast than female Golden-headed. They perch solely and quietly in the dense canopies of fruiting trees, plucking fruits in fluttering swoops and often returning to the same perch.