Final answer:
The Quetzal bird's tail feathers were used on Mayan chief headdresses, symbolizing wealth and power. The Moctezuma headdress is one such artifact, and the Aztec feather artists, known as amantecas, were highly skilled and respected for their work in creating these elaborate items.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bird whose tail feathers were used in Mayan chief headdresses is the Quetzal. The Quetzal was highly valued by the Mayans, Aztecs, and other Mesoamerican cultures for its vibrant green and blue feathers, which symbolized wealth and status. For instance, the Moctezuma headdress, named after the Aztec emperor, is a surviving artifact featuring over 400 quetzal feathers.
Other birds like macaws and king vultures also had significant value in these cultures. Featherwork was a prestigious form of art, and the amantecas (feather artists) were considered part of the upper class. These artists created intricate items like headdresses, shields, and clothing, which were often associated with power and the divine, as seen in the Aztec Featherwork.