Lophura pyronota
The Bornean Crestless Fireback, Lophura pyronota, is a strikingly beautiful and elusive gamebird endemic to the island of Borneo. Adult males are approximately 48-50 cm long, boasting a glossy blackish-blue plumage that appears almost iridescent in certain lights, complemented by brilliant cobalt-blue facial skin and distinctive bright red legs and feet; notably, they lack the prominent crest seen in many other fireback species. Females are smaller, around 40-42 cm, with a dull olive-brown bo...
Primarily inhabits lowland primary and well-developed secondary rainforests, typically found at elevations below 600 meters, though occasionally recorded up to 1200 meters. Prefers areas with dense undergrowth and leaf litter.
Omnivorous, primarily consuming invertebrates such as earthworms, termites, beetles, and ants, supplemented with plant matter including fallen fruits, seeds, shoots, and tubers. Forages by scratching through leaf litter on the forest floor.
This fireback is a notoriously shy and secretive bird, predominantly diurnal but rarely observed, spending most of its time foraging on the forest floor. It typically roosts in trees at night, seeking safety in the canopy. Foraging involves vigorous scratching through leaf litter with its strong ...
The Bornean Crestless Fireback is strictly endemic to the island of Borneo, where it is a non-migratory resident throughout its range. It can be found across suitable lowland forest habitats in both Malaysian Borneo (states of Sarawak and Sabah) and Indonesian Borneo (Kalimantan provinces), as we...
Vulnerable
- Often considered one of the most elusive and challenging birds to observe in Borneo's dense rainforests. - The species name "pyronota" literally translates to "fire-backed," referring to the rufous-chestnut rump and uppertail-coverts of the male. - It is one of the few true "crestless" fireback...