Artwork by Szabi
- Tragopan melanocephalus
Identification
55-60cm
Male
- Dark grey and black
- Numerous white spots (each spot bordered with black)
- Deep crimson patches on the sides and back of the neck
- Bare throat with blue skin
- Red bare facial skin
- Small black occipital crest
Female
- 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.
Distribution
Asia: found in the Himalayas of northern Pakistan to north-western India and adjacent south-western Tibet.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Hill forests.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes leaves, shoots, seeds, but they also take insects and other invertebrates.
Breeding
The nests are built in low tree hollows.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Western Tragopan. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Western_Tragopan
