Fauna
Bird · GBIF taxon 5227747

Himalayan Monal

Lophophorus impejanus

Also 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
Himalayan Monal reference1 / 7
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 →
Key facts
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
Classification
  1. OrderGalliformes
  2. FamilyPhasianidae
  3. GenusLophophorus
  4. SpeciesLophophorus impejanus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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