Himalayan Monal

The Himalayan Monal is a spectacular pheasant of high-elevation forest and scrub across the Himalayas, and the national bird of Nepal. Males are covered in intensely iridescent plumage shifting through metallic green, purple, bronze, and blue depending on the angle of light, topped with a distinctive crest of thin, wire-like feathers ending in small spatula-shaped tips. A white patch on the lower back, visible mainly in flight, and a rich rufous tail complete the male's striking appearance, while females are cryptically mottled brown.

• Crest (male): thin, wire-like feathers each tipped with a small spatula-shaped tip, unlike the solid crests of other pheasants.
• Body (male): intensely iridescent, shifting between metallic green, purple, bronze, and blue across the neck, back, and wings.
• Rump patch (male): white lower-back feathering, conspicuous mainly when the bird flushes or flies.
• Tail (male): rufous-chestnut, contrasting with the iridescent body.
• Female plumage: mottled brown overall with a whitish throat patch and streaked underparts, entirely different from the male's iridescence.

Males show the full iridescent, crested plumage described above, developed progressively over their first few years before reaching full adult coloration. Females remain cryptically brown and streaked year-round for camouflage while incubating. A complete molt occurs annually after breeding.

Himalayan Monal inhabit high-altitude oak, rhododendron, and conifer forest as well as adjacent alpine scrub and meadow across the Himalayas, from Afghanistan through Nepal, Bhutan, and into Tibet. The species undertakes seasonal elevational movements, generally moving to lower altitudes in winter and higher slopes in summer, rather than long-distance migration.

This species forages by digging in soil and leaf litter for roots, tubers, and invertebrates, using its strong bill and legs. Males give a loud, far-carrying whistled call, especially during the breeding season, often from a prominent perch or ridge. Nests are shallow ground scrapes on steep slopes, hidden by vegetation. Monals are typically found singly or in small groups outside the breeding season.