Bird · GBIF taxon 5227747
Himalayan Monal
Lophophorus impejanusAlso known as Impeyan Monal, Danphe, Impeyan Pheasant, Monal Pheasant
Himalayan monals showcase dramatic iridescent plumage with metallic green, purple, blue, and bronze tones set against a spoon-shaped metallic crest. Adult males put on striking aerial displays during spring courting, leaping into deep drop-offs and gliding across high mountain valleys while calling with loud whistle-like notes. These stout high-altitude birds spend much of their time digging into alpine soils with their heavy, curved beaks to excavate roots, tubers, and invertebrates.
MontaneHigh AltitudeColorful
Licensed reference(c) Jörg Hempel, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Plant tubers
- Insects
- Seeds
Predators
- Snow Leopard
- Golden Eagle
- Red Fox
ThreatsPoaching for decorative crest feathers, habitat fragmentation, and human disturbance
HabitatsAlpine meadows, rhododendron forests, and rocky mountain slopes
Life span10–12 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhasianidae
- SpeciesLophophorus impejanus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Distinguished by the male metallic green crest and multi-colored iridescent back in rocky Himalayan terrain.
- Support conservation
- Observe strictly from marked hiking trails and refrain from sharing exact nesting locations.
Responsible observation
- Observation Timing: Look for foraging birds early in the morning along forest edges and subalpine clearings.
- Listening Cues: Listen for loud, ringing whistle calls echoing across steep mountain slopes.
- Respecting Distance: Maintain a quiet distance on trails to avoid flushing birds down steep ravines.
Frequent Companion Frequent Companion Close Relative Close Relative
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