Galliformes / Phasianidae / Lophophorus
Chinese Monal
Lophophorus lhuysii · 绿尾虹雉
Introduction
A species in the pheasant family Phasianidae native to west-central China, restricted to the mountains of western Sichuan and southern Gansu. It is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Description
This is the largest of the three monals and one of the larger species of Phasianidae by weight. Males measure 76–80 cm (30–31 in) in length, while females measure 72–75 cm (28–30 in). The mean weight is reported to be 3.18 kg (7.0 lb). The male has a large drooping purple crest, a metallic green head, blue bare skin around the eyes, a reddish gold mantle, bluish green feathers, black underparts, and a white rump; the plumage is highly iridescent. The female is dark brown with white on its throat.
Distribution & Habitat
Native to west-central China, where it is restricted to the mountains of western Sichuan and southern Gansu.
Conservation
Evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, limited range, and illegal hunting. Listed on Appendix I of CITES. All attempts to establish a captive breeding population in London Zoo and Beijing Zoo have failed.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Lophophorus
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.
