Malayan Crestless Fireback
Lophura erythrophthalma
A rare, compact pheasant of damp tropical lowland rainforest, especially peat swamp forest. Dark overall with bright red facial skin and a cocked, vertically-flattened tail. Males have fine vermiculations on the wings, deep orange (fire)back, purple rump and pale orange tail. Females are dark blue all over. Exceedingly shy, typically moving in pairs or small groups. Female is similar to Salvadori’s Pheasant male but the 2 species do not normally co-occur and the latter has often has its tail pointing downwards. Gives a relatively high-pitch “chick!” followed by a low “takrow”.
Identification
The Malayan crestless fireback or Malay crestless fireback (Lophura erythrophthalma) is a member of the family Phasianidae. It was previously known as the crestless fireback when it was lumped together with the Bornean crestless fireback. The two species were separated into two monotypic species based on obvious plumage differences, most notably the virtually unmarked dark plumage of the male. The Malayan crestless fireback is found in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.
Taxonomy
Genus: Lophura; Family: Phasianidae; Order: Galliformes.
- Scientific name
- Lophura erythrophthalma
- Authority
- (Raffles, 1822)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Lophura
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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