From Opus

Tragopan melanocephalus

Painting by Szabi

[edit] Identification

55-60cm. Very dark, grey and black, numerous white spots, each spot bordered with black and deep crimson patches on the sides and back of the neck, bare throat with blue skin, red bare facial skin, small black occipital crest. Females have pale brownish grey upper parts finely vermiculated and spotted with black. Immature males resemble females, but are larger in size with longer legs and variable amount of black on head and red on neck.

Very rare.

[edit] Distribution

Pakistan, nw India and adjacent sw Tibet.

[edit] Taxonomy

A monotypic species.

[edit] Habitat

Hill forests.

[edit] Behaviour

The diet includes leaves, shoots, seeds, but also consume insects and other invertebrates.

The nests are built in low tree hollows.

[edit] External Links