Finally, a black-tipped cobalt blue bill, a deep mauve-blue gape and eyering and reddish-brown irises shape the bird's face.

[3] In the 19th and 20th centuries, several specimens were described: The red-headed trogon is widely distributed from central Nepal, Southeast Asia, southern China to Sumatra.

[1] It is uncommon to scarce in Nepal where habitat destruction most certainly explains a rapid decline in population numbers.

[22][23] In northern, western and southern Thailand, it favours climax broadleaved evergreen forests between 400 and 2,000 m (1,300 and 6,600 ft).

[26][17] The red-headed trogon has often been observed perching on shaded branches waiting for prey, alone or in pairs.

[2] It is most active in the early morning hours and at night, when pursuing moths at the edges of forest clearings.

[27] In central southern Thailand, it shares habitat with the Orange-breasted trogon (Harpactes oreskios).

[17][28] Occasionally the male calls an extended “pluu-du” note marked by a significant terminal drop in pitch.

[29] The red-headed trogon feeds primarily on insects and their larvae, including green orthopterans, stick-insects, cicadas, millipedes, flies, beetles, centipedes, woodlice and moths.

The entrance hole is generally wide, and occasionally, the mating pair excavates the entire nesting cavity.

Both sexes contribute to the nesting process, namely excavating, incubating the eggs, brooding and feeding the offspring.