Sclater's Monal
Lophophorus sclateri
白尾梢虹雉
Introduction
Lophophorus sclateri is a monal pheasant endemic to the eastern Himalayan region. It inhabits mountain forests in north-eastern India, south-eastern Tibet, and northern Burma at elevations of 2,500 to 4,200 metres. This large pheasant exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, with males displaying highly iridescent purplish-green plumage and females being predominantly dark brown. The species lacks the prominent crest seen in other monal species. Due to habitat loss, small population size, restricted range, and hunting pressure, it is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and listed on CITES Appendix I.
Description
A large monal pheasant measuring approximately 68 centimetres in length. Males have iridescent purplish-green upperparts, short curly metallic green crown feathers, copper-colored neck, purplish-black throat, white back, blue orbital skin, yellowish-orange bill, and brown iris. The tail pattern varies by subspecies: the nominate race has a white tail with a broad chestnut band, while L. s. arunachalensis has an entirely white tail. Females are dark brown overall with a white throat and tail-tip, dull bluish orbital skin, and a pale yellow bill, lacking the male's iridescence and crest.
Distribution & Habitat
Restricted to the eastern Himalayan region, including north-eastern India (particularly Arunachal Pradesh), south-eastern Tibet, and northern Burma. Inhabits high-altitude mountain forests between 2,500 and 4,200 metres elevation. No significant migratory movements have been documented.
Behavior & Ecology
Diet likely consists primarily of tubers, roots, bulbs, arthropods, rodents, seeds, and flowers, similar to other Lophophorus species. The breeding season sees females laying clutches of three to five eggs. Male participation in nest defense remains uncertain but is considered probable based on related species' behavior. Social behavior patterns are not well documented.
Conservation
Evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Population trends indicate decline due to ongoing habitat loss from deforestation, limited range size, and overhunting in some areas for food and feathers. Listed on Appendix I of CITES, prohibiting international commercial trade. Conservation actions focus on habitat protection within the species' limited range.
Culture
No documented cultural significance or folklore associated with this species.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Lophophorus
- eBird Code
- sclmon1
Subspecies (3)
-
Lophophorus sclateri arunachalensis
northern India (mountains of western Arunachal Pradesh)
-
Lophophorus sclateri orientalis
northeastern Myanmar and adjacent southern China (southwestern Yunnan)
-
Lophophorus sclateri sclateri
southeastern Tibet southward to northeastern India (northeastern Arunachal Pradesh) and eastward to southern China (northern Yunnan) and northern Myanmar
Data Sources
CBR Notes: IUCN红色名录等级由VU降为LC
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.