Wildlifeof Bhutan
Himalayan Monal
Pheasants, Partridges & Quails
Photo: egorbirder · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Lophophorus impejanus
Basic stats
Diet
Tubers, nuts, tender leaves, shoots, insects and other invertebrates
Habitat
Himalayan forests and shrublands at 2,100–4,500m; descends to about 2,000m in winter
Range
Himalayas from Afghanistan and Pakistan through Nepal, India, southern Tibet and Bhutan
Size
61–76cm
Weight
1.4–2.3kg
The Himalayan monal is a large landfowl, 61 to 76cm long and weighing 1.4 to 2.3kg. The adult male has multicoloured plumage, with a long metallic green crest, coppery feathers on the back and neck and a prominent white rump that shows in flight, while the female is more subdued. It is the national bird of Nepal and the state bird of Uttarakhand (Wikipedia, general species account).
It lives in Himalayan forests and shrublands at 2,100 to 4,500m and descends to about 2,000m in winter. Its native range runs from Afghanistan and Pakistan through the Himalayas in Nepal, India, southern Tibet and Bhutan. It tolerates snow and digs through it for plant roots and invertebrates, and its diet is mostly tubers, nuts, tender leaves, shoots and insects.
Quick answers
- What does the Himalayan Monal eat?
- Tubers, nuts, tender leaves, shoots, insects and other invertebrates
- What habitat does the Himalayan Monal live in?
- Himalayan forests and shrublands at 2,100–4,500m; descends to about 2,000m in winter
- Where is the Himalayan Monal found?
- Himalayas from Afghanistan and Pakistan through Nepal, India, southern Tibet and Bhutan
- How big is the Himalayan Monal?
- 61–76cm
- How much does the Himalayan Monal weigh?
- 1.4–2.3kg