Himalayan Monal

Overview

The Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), also known as the Impeyan monal, is a large landfowl native to the forests and shrublands of the Himalayas. It holds the distinction of being the national bird of Nepal, where it is known as the danphe or danfe, and the state bird of Uttarakhand in India.

Identification

• A relatively large-sized bird, 24–30 in (61–76 cm) long and weighing 3–5 pounds (1.4–2.3 kg).
• Adult males feature multicoloured plumage, a long metallic green crest, coppery back and neck feathers, and a prominent white rump visible in flight.
• The tail feathers of males are uniformly rufous, darkening towards the tips, while females possess white lower tail coverts barred with black and red, plus a white throat patch.
• First-year males and juveniles resemble females, though first-year males are larger and juveniles are less distinctly marked.

Habitat

Native to a range extending from Afghanistan and Pakistan through Nepal, India, southern Tibet and Bhutan, the species inhabits upper temperate oak-conifer forests interspersed with open grassy slopes, cliffs and alpine meadows. It typically resides between 2,400 and 4,500 m (7,900 and 14,800 ft), with the highest density between 2,700 and 3,700 m (8,900 and 12,100 ft), and descends to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in winter.

Diet

The diet consists primarily of tubers, nuts, tender leaves, shoots, insects and other invertebrates, with plant matter making up a large portion of intake. The bird actively digs through snow to obtain plant roots and invertebrate prey.

Did you know?

The species' primary threat is poaching driven by the high value of its crest, which is believed to bring status to its wearer and serves as a symbol of authority.