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Lophophorus impejanus
The picture is from Sarahan Pheasantry in Himachal Pradesh. Monal males are brightly colored with iridescent plumage. Whereas female of the species are dull in color. They are the pheasant of high altitude and normally stays above 2800 meters depending on the season. It was the state bird of Himachal Pradesh but no longer. But it is a nation bird of Nepal and state bird of Uttarkhand,India. In their natural habitat, these birds are highly cautious and flies off with sharp alarm calls at the slightest sign of danger irrespective of its distance from the intruder.
Spotted on Jun 14, 2012
Submitted on Jun 14, 2012
21 Comments
WOW!!! Beautiful bird.
Important thing is both spectacular birds are in same family.. Phasianinae
thank you jaguar.
Thank you Ashish. The bird is really amazing. Personally i find it more spectacular than peacock :) except for the size. And truly its a bird of very high altitudes. In this region, its habitat overlaps the habitat of another wonderful pheasant called Western Tragopan. Another wonderful species of bird in Himalayas.
Wonderful spot Chime...
This is India's flagship bird from highest Indian elevations in Himalayan region...Great spotting...
After Peacock this is most spectacular bird.
Incredible. The sheen on it is amazing.
Thank you EmilyMarino. :)
What amazing colors! Great spotting!
Thank you everyone for your appreciations. :) This bird is colorful and iridescent.
Wonderful colors!
very beautiful spotting.
Can this be the next SOTD..!? Awesome colors..!
Beautiful!
gorgeous bird!
I'm lost for words. This has to be the most beautifully coloured bird I've ever seen. Thank you :)
So true Satyen. :)
Thank you Sachin.
Incredible spotting,
Beautifulll....
Of course :-) Being this beautiful, it has to be overcautious.
Thank you SatyenMehta. This one is a captive bird. Its in Sarahan Pheasantry.
I have seen many in the wild, but always in flight. You need to be the jungle for it to allow you to approach near it. I must say, its a bit overcautious bird.
Lovely spotting! Lucky you!
Amazing colors!