Himalayan Monal
Lophophorus impejanus
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<birdfyi-bird slug="lophophorus-impejanus"></birdfyi-bird>About
A large pheasant (~2.1 kg) of family Phasianidae; the national bird of Nepal. Males display iridescent multicolored plumage with copper, green, purple, and white; females are cryptically brown. Inhabits montane forests and alpine meadows in the Himalayas at 2,100–4,500 m. Forages for bulbs, tubers, and insects by digging with the sturdy bill. Least Concern; common in Himalayan protected areas.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 57.2 cm | 22.5 in |
| Weight | 2077.5 g | 73.28 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Male iridescent throughout: metallic green head, copper-green back, purple wings, and teal-blue rump; white back patch; chestnut tail; spoon-tipped crest. Female brown with white throat and striped upperparts.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident in the Himalayas from Afghanistan to Yunnan at 2,100-4,500 m. Found in forest and alpine meadow. National bird of Nepal.
Diet & Feeding
Digs with strong bill for tubers, bulbs, roots, and invertebrates in Himalayan alpine meadows and open forest.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 27 days.
Clutch Size
2-8
Sound
Song
Loud, clear 'kyaa-kyaa-kyaa' calls echoing across Himalayan rocky slopes; slightly sad and ringing. Alarm is a rapid series of shrill yelps. Male calls from exposed ridgeline perch at dawn.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Lophophorus |
| Species | Lophophorus impejanus |
Distribution
Himalayan Monal has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Himalayan Monal eat?
Where does the Himalayan Monal live?
Is the Himalayan Monal endangered?
How does the Himalayan Monal nest?
What does the Himalayan Monal sound like?
How big is the Himalayan Monal?
What order and family does the Himalayan Monal belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family