Kullu Corner: Save Monal

A stunningly colourful member of the pheasant family, the Himalayan monal is the national bird of Nepal. The iridescent rainbow-like plumage of the male is surpassed only by the slightly larger Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii). The male Himalayan monal possesses a wiry, metallic green head-crest that is absent in other monal species, as well as a chestnut brown tail, light brown wings and a white rump that is visible in flight. The head is bright green, the eyes ringed with blue and the neck reddish brown. At the nape of the neck is a yellow patch which forms the top edge of the bluish black wings and the purplish black back. The breast is dark brown and the tail feathers are light brown.

Females do not share the same splendour as males, with overall dark brown feathers, except for a white throat and rump patch, and the bright blue circle around the eyes. The female also has a crest, but whereas the male’s is green and has spoon-shaped feathers, the female’s is shorter, and brown with ordinary feathers.

Did You Know

The Himalayan Monal undertakes an annual migration, but to a lesser degree. During winter this species can be located at the lower end of its altitude distribution. The Western Tragopan and the Himalayan Monal occupy the same blocks of forest and can be observed together throughout the year. It is unlikely that there is a high degree of competition as their feeding and nesting biology differs slightly, permitting the two species to co-inhabit.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Galliformes
Family	Phasianidae
Genus	Lophophorus
Species	L. impejanus

Other Names

English	Himalayan Monal
Local Name	Impeyan Pheasant

Status

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List 2006 and listed on Appendix I of CITES.

Population

The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Habitat

During the summer months, the Himalayan monal ventures above the tree-line to wander on the grassy slopes, but during winter it is found in coniferous and mixed forests with a high proportion of rhododendrons and bamboo, where it shelters from the weather. It is a high-altitude species, remaining between 2,100 and 4,500 metres above sea level

Range

Found in the Himalayas from eastern Afghanistan to Bhutan, northeast India and southern Tibet; the Himalayan monal has also been reported from Burma.

Biology

A highly communicative bird, the Himalayan monal uses several different call types to express meaning to its mate, other birds in its foraging group, or intruding birds. Males also use body displays to attract females; bobbing the head-crest and fanning their tail feathers. The breeding season begins in April when the monals are at higher altitudes. The male switches from calling only in the early morning to calling throughout the day.

Once a female notices his display they mate and shortly afterwards she scrapes a nest in the ground and lays between three and five eggs. The female must incubate the eggs alone, but the male will stand guard throughout the 27-day incubation period and until fledging to protect the eggs and chicks from predators. After six months the young are completely independent and must search for food and mates alone.

Like many of the pheasants, quails and partridges in the Phasianidae family, the Himalayan monal has very strong legs and a long, curved beak which together enable it to dig into the hard soil of the mountains to uncover seeds, tubers, shoots, berries, and insects. This method of foraging leaves conspicuous areas of turned over soil up to 25 cm deep on hillsides

Threats

The specific requirements of the Himalayan monal make it important to conserve its habitat, but currently this beautiful bird is not seriously threatened. In many parts of its range tree harvesting takes place and additionally this pheasant is hunted for food. It is also hunted for the colourful plumes of its headdress by the inhabitants of Kulu Valley, but this practice appears to have declined significantly in the last ten years. For now the Himalayan monal is not facing any serious threat.

Conservation Measures

The Himalayan monal’s status as the national bird of Nepal helps to raise awareness of this stunning bird and its needs, and it is hoped that this may keep the species safe in the future. It is currently common and has been recorded in many protected areas in its range, as well as many areas that are not suffering degradation. It is listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora which prevents unlicensed export of the species or its body parts. This listing prevents the possibility that such an extraordinary bird might find popularity as a pet