Lophophorus lhuysii
The Chinese Monal, Lophophorus lhuysii, is a truly spectacular pheasant, a true gem of the high-altitude forests of central China, instantly recognizable by the male's dazzling iridescent plumage. Measuring approximately 72-80 cm (28-31 inches) in length and weighing 3-4 kg (6.6-8.8 lbs), males are adorned with a magnificent metallic green crest, a coppery nape, and a body showcasing brilliant iridescent greens, blues, purples, and bronzes, culminating in a striking white rump patch visible i...
Found in high-altitude subalpine and alpine coniferous or mixed forests, rhododendron thickets, and open grassy slopes, typically at elevations between 2,800 to 4,900 meters (9,200-16,100 feet).
Their diet consists mainly of roots, tubers, bulbs, and rhizomes of various plants, supplemented by insects and their larvae, as well as seeds.
Chinese Monals are primarily ground-dwelling and diurnal, beginning their foraging activities shortly after dawn and roosting in tall trees at dusk, often returning to the same communal roosts. They employ a distinctive foraging strategy, using their strong, curved bills to dig deep into the soil...
The Chinese Monal is endemic to the central mountains of China, primarily found in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai, and northern Yunnan. Its distribution is fragmented and restricted to high-altitude mountain ranges, including the Qinling, Min, Qionglai, and Hengduan Mountains. There is ...
Vulnerable
- The Chinese Monal is sometimes called 'Lhuys's Monal' after Édouard de Lhuys, a French politician and diplomat. - Its genus name 'Lophophorus' comes from Greek words meaning 'crest-bearing,' referring to the male's prominent metallic green crest. - The male's iridescent plumage is so intense it...