The legend explains that quetzals were originally all green, but something happened long ago during a battle between the Mayan warrior Tecún Umán and the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado. During the battle, Pedro struck Tecún Umán in the chest, causing him to fall to the ground bleeding. Then a quetzal flew down and rested on his chest, becoming stained with Tecún Umán's blood and explaining why quetzals today have a red chest.

1. TheLegend of the Quetzal

3. In thebeginning, quetzalswereallgreen. But, thensomethinghappened.

4. A long time, there was a man. His name was TecúnUmán.

5. He was a Mayan warrior.

6. He was fighting against the Spanish “conquistadores.”

7. One day, there was a huge battle.

8. Pedro de Alvarado fought against Tecún Umán.

9. Pedro struckTecún Umán in thechest, and he felltotheground.

10. Then, a quetzal flewdown and restedonhischest. TecúnUmán’sbloodstainedthequetzal’schest.

11. Thatiswhyquetzalshave a red chest.