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Monal

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Monal
Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Tribe: Lophophorini
Genus: Lophophorus
Temminck, 1813
Type species
Lophophorus impejanus
Temminck, 1813
Species

A monal is a bird of genus Lophophorus of the pheasant family, Phasianidae.

Description

The males all have colorful, iridescent plumage. Their physique is rather plump. Their diet consists of plants such as roots and bulbs and insects. During mating the males are polygamous where they mates with several females. The females in turn only mate with the selected male and enter into a monogamous relationship. Due to habitat destruction and hunting, they have become rare and their population is endangered.[1]


Species

There are three species and several subspecies:

Image Name Common name Distribution
Lophophorus impejanus Himalayan monal Afghanistan and Pakistan through the Himalayas in India, Nepal, southern Tibet, and Bhutan.
Lophophorus sclateri Sclater's monal northeast India, southeast Tibet and northern Burma
Lophophorus lhuysii Chinese monal central China

References

  1. ^ Hoyo, Josep (1992). Handbook of the birds of the world. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-87334-15-6. OCLC 861071869.