Annamite Crested Argus

About

One of the most spectacular Phasianidae birds (~1.5 kg), endemic to evergreen forests of Vietnam and Laos. Males possess extraordinary elongated brown-spotted tail feathers. Performs a solitary lekking display on cleared forest arenas. Feeds on fallen fruits and invertebrates. Critically Endangered from deforestation.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Wingspan	67.1 cm	26.4 in
Weight	1500.0 g	52.91 oz

Identification

Plumage

Brown and buff intricately patterned with ocelli; long broad graduated tail with dark ocellated spots; white-streaked dark crest; bare blue facial skin. Sexes similar but male with much longer tail.

Habitat & Range

🌲 Forest

Geographic Range

Resident of dense montane forest in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam, above 400 m; extremely secretive.

Diet & Feeding

Forages on leaf litter for fallen fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small animals; uses feet to scratch forest floor.

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Incubation: 24-25 days.

Clutch Size

2

Sound

Song

Loud, mournful 'kow-WEE' whistling cries from Vietnam rainforest floor; haunting and fox-like. Males call from log or elevated perch. Alarm is explosive cackle. One of world's rarest galliform voices.

Taxonomy

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Galliformes (Gamebirds)
Family	Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges)
Genus	Rheinardia
Species	Rheinardia ocellata

Distribution

Annamite Crested Argus has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Present Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇳🇴 Norway

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Annamite Crested Argus eat?

Forages on leaf litter for fallen fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small animals; uses feet to scratch forest floor.

Where does the Annamite Crested Argus live?

Resident of dense montane forest in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam, above 400 m; extremely secretive.

Is the Annamite Crested Argus endangered?

The Annamite Crested Argus has a conservation status of Critically Endangered.

How does the Annamite Crested Argus nest?

Incubation: 24-25 days.

What does the Annamite Crested Argus sound like?

Loud, mournful 'kow-WEE' whistling cries from Vietnam rainforest floor; haunting and fox-like. Males call from log or elevated perch. Alarm is explosive cackle. One of world's rarest galliform voices.

How big is the Annamite Crested Argus?

The Annamite Crested Argus has a wingspan of 67.1 cm, weight of 1500.0 g.

What order and family does the Annamite Crested Argus belong to?

The Annamite Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata) belongs to the order Galliformes and the family Phasianidae.