Kalij Pheasant
Lophura leucomelanos
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About
A medium-sized Phasianidae pheasant (~884 g) widespread across Himalayan foothills and Southeast Asian forest edges from Pakistan to southwestern China. Males vary in plumage across many subspecies, generally dark with white markings. Feeds on seeds, roots, and invertebrates. Least Concern; adapts to disturbed forest.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 42.4 cm | 16.7 in |
| Weight | 883.5 g | 31.16 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Male glossy blue-black with white rump in some subspecies; curved crest; white-fringed flank feathers; red facial wattle. Female mottled brown with dark shaft streaks; highly variable across many subspecies.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident of montane forest, scrub, and bamboo from the Himalayas (Pakistan to Yunnan) south through Myanmar to peninsular Malaysia, at 300–3,000 m.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; eats seeds, berries, fallen fruit, invertebrates, and small vertebrates; forages by scratching.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 20-22 days.
Clutch Size
5-10
Sound
Song
Loud, crowing 'kowe-KOW' calls; sharp and slightly nasal. Himalayan forest species with raucous alarm cackle. Males wing-drum at dawn. Contact calls low clucking; widely heard on Himalayan trails.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Lophura |
| Species | Lophura leucomelanos |
Distribution
Kalij Pheasant has been recorded in 7 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Kalij Pheasant eat?
Where does the Kalij Pheasant live?
Is the Kalij Pheasant endangered?
How does the Kalij Pheasant nest?
What does the Kalij Pheasant sound like?
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What order and family does the Kalij Pheasant belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family