Genus Lophophorus

Himalayan Monal - Recently, survey carried out in Arunachal Pradesh discovered a new type of Lophophorus species and its identity, though believed to be a subspecies of Sclater's Monal or a potential new species, is yet to be confirmed. There is, so far, no confirmed record of subspecies in the Himalayan Monal. However, recent studies have shown that the male Himalayan Monals of northwestern India lack the white rump that many Himalayan Monals have, and have more green on the breast, indicating the possibility of a second subspecies.

Chinese Monal - Largest of the three monals, up to 80cm in length, the Chinese Monal is restricted to mountains of central China.

 

Sclater - Sclater's Monal is distributed to mountain forests of southeast China, northern Burma and northeast India, at altitudes of 2,500 to 4,200 metres . The diet of the Sclater's Monal is like that of other members of the genus Lophophorus, probably consists mainly of tubers, roots, bulbs, arthropods, rodents, seeds and flowers. The female usually lays between three to five eggs. The male Himalayan Monal guards the nest and helps rear the chicks. It is not known if the Sclater's Monal male participates in nest defense but it is likely.

Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae
Genus : Lophophorus