the quetzal bird, prized for its long green feathers; this word can also stand for the feathers themselves; typically, the birds and the feathers were obtained through trade/tributes from peoples in Central America
For a beautiful photo of a quetzaltototl, see this one hosted by Mexicolore:
https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/images-6/613_01_2.jpg
QUETZAL-TŌTŌ-TL, Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) [FC: 19 Quetzaltototl]: This can only be the Resplendent Quetzal. QUETZAL-LI refers to the “plumage of the quetzal bird” (Karttunen).
quetzaltototl = a quetzal bird
Auh ixqujch nenca in tlaҫotototl, y xiuhtototl, in quetzaltototl, i ҫaqua, in tlauhquechol, yoan in ie ixqujch nepapan tototl in cenca vel tlatoa, in vel tepacic cujca = And there dwelt all [varieties of] birds of precious feather—the blue cotinga, the quetzal, the trupial, the red spoonbill, and all the different birds, which spoke very well; which sang right sweetly (central Mexico, sixteenth century)
ilhuicac quetzaltototl oalmotitla in iuictzinco Dios inantzi = a heavenly quetzal bird was sent to God’s mother (late sixteenth century, Central Mexico)
açan axcà ye quetzaltototl nicyaizcaltiquetl a = Laboriously I feed the quetzal bird.;
Q. n. oncã evac in tetomã, nitlacochtetometl. auh in axcã ye quetzaltototl ynic nitlazcaltia = This means there in Tetoman he rose. I am Tlacochtetometl. And now he is a quetzal bird; therefore I feed him.... Y yopuchi noteuh atlavaquetl, = Opochtli, my god, is Atlahua.