Lophophorus sclateri
Sclater's Monal (*Lophophorus sclateri*) is a resplendent, large ground-dwelling pheasant native to the Eastern Himalayas, celebrated for its astonishing sexual dimorphism. Males are instantly recognizable by their spectacular iridescent plumage, a mosaic of dark blue-green, coppery-bronze, and violet, contrasted sharply with a pure white, bushy crest and a prominent white rump patch. A deep maroon or chestnut lower back and base of the tail further distinguishes them, making them a sight to ...
Found primarily in high-altitude temperate and subalpine forests, dense rhododendron thickets, and bamboo stands at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,200 meters (8,200 to 13,800 feet).
Feeds mainly on subterranean roots, tubers, bulbs, and insect larvae, supplemented by berries, seeds, and other plant matter, primarily by powerful digging.
Sclater's Monals are diurnal, typically most active during early morning and late afternoon foraging bouts, and roost in trees at night. They are adept at digging, using their powerful bills and strong legs to unearth roots, tubers, bulbs, and invertebrate larvae from the forest floor. Males are ...
Sclater's Monal has a restricted distribution across the Eastern Himalayas, encompassing northeastern India, northern Myanmar, and southeastern Tibet in China. In India, it is primarily found in Arunachal Pradesh, extending into adjacent regions of Myanmar and the autonomous region of Tibet. Its ...
Vulnerable
- Sclater's Monal was named after Philip Lutley Sclater, a prominent 19th-century British zoologist and ornithologist. - Its pure white, bushy crest is a unique feature among the three species of *Lophophorus* monals. - This species is considered one of the most elusive and least studied pheasant...