Tragopan melanocephalus
The Western Tragopan, or 'Jujurana' (King of Birds), is one of the most spectacularly plumaged and elusive pheasants, reaching approximately 70 cm (27.5 in) in length. Males boast an extraordinary display of color: a striking black head with a vivid scarlet face, topped by a blue-black crest and adorned with a broad orange collar. Their body is a rich deep crimson, heavily marked with large white ocelli (eye-spots), each outlined in black, while underparts are blackish-brown with fine white s...
Dense undergrowth within temperate and subalpine coniferous or broadleaf forests, typically found at elevations between 1,700 and 3,600 meters (5,600-11,800 feet).
Omnivorous, primarily feeding on leaves, buds, shoots, berries, and seeds, supplemented with insects such as larvae and beetles.
The Western Tragopan is a shy, diurnal bird, often heard but rarely seen, known for its solitary or pair-based existence. It typically roosts singly or in pairs high in the canopy of conifers at night, descending to the forest floor at dawn. Foraging involves scratching through leaf litter for fo...
The Western Tragopan is endemic to the western Himalayas, occupying a highly fragmented distribution across a narrow belt of temperate and subalpine forests. Its range spans from northern Pakistan (including valleys like Kaghan and regions like Kohistan), across the Indian states of Jammu and Kas...
Vulnerable
- The male Western Tragopan's courtship display, involving an inflatable blue throat lappet and fleshy horns, is one of the most elaborate and spectacular in the bird kingdom. - Local Himalayan communities sometimes refer to it as 'Jujurana,' meaning 'King of Birds,' a tribute to its majestic app...