Chinese Monal
Lophophorus lhuysii
An inhabitant of rocky highland meadows, this glorious pheasant often forages in boulder fields in early morning and late afternoon. Adult male a veritable phoenix, with glittering blue back and tail, flame-colored neck, glossy green head, and black underparts. Blue patch of skin between eye and bill unique among monals. Less colorful female streaky brown with pale skin around the eye. Male gives a whistle recalling a rusty door hinge and high-pitched piping calls.
Identification
The Chinese monal or Chinese impeyan (Lophophorus lhuysii) is a species in the pheasant family Phasianidae native to west-central China, where it is restricted to the mountains of western Sichuan and southern Gansu.
Taxonomy
Genus: Lophophorus; Family: Phasianidae; Order: Galliformes.
- Scientific name
- Lophophorus lhuysii
- Authority
- Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, A, 1866
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Lophophorus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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