Chinese Monal
Lophophorus lhuysii
绿尾虹雉
Introduction
Species in the pheasant family Phasianidae native to west-central China, restricted to the mountains of western Sichuan and southern Gansu. One of the largest Phasianidae by weight. Evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, limited range, and illegal hunting. Listed on CITES Appendix I.
Description
Largest of the three monal species and one of the larger Phasianidae by weight. Males measure 76-80 cm (30-31 in) in length, females 72-75 cm (28-30 in). Mean weight is 3.18 kg (7.0 lb). Males display a large drooping purple crest, metallic green head, blue bare skin around the eyes, reddish gold mantle, bluish green feathers, black underparts, and a white rump; plumage is highly irirescent. Females are dark brown with white on the throat.
Distribution & Habitat
Restricted to the mountains of western Sichuan and southern Gansu in west-central China.
Conservation
Evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Threats include ongoing habitat loss and degradation, limited range, and illegal hunting. Listed on Appendix I of CITES.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Lophophorus
- eBird Code
- chimon1
Distribution
mountains of southwestern China (southern Gansu, northwestern Sichuan, and Yunnan)
Vocalizations
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.