- Chinese Monal
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Chinese Monal 
Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae Subfamily: Phasianinae Genus: Lophophorus Species: L. lhuysii Binomial name Lophophorus lhuysii
Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire & Verreaux, 1866The Chinese Monal, Lophophorus lhuysii, is one of the most brilliant of all pheasants. This monal is restricted to mountains of central China. The plumage is highly iridescent. 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 and black underparts. The female is dark brown with white on its throat.
The is the largest of the three monals and, by mass, is one of the largest pheasants (after the turkeys and the Green and Indian Peafowls). Males measure 76–80 cm (30–31 in) in length while females measure 72–75 cm (28–30 in). The mean weight is reportedly 3.18 kg (7.0 lb).[1]
The scientific name commemorates the French statesman Edmond Drouyn de Lhuys.
Due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, limited range and illegal hunting, the Chinese Monal is evaluated as Vulnerable on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix I of CITES.
References
- ^ Biddle, Tami Davis, Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse : A Guide to the Pheasants, Partridges, Quails, Grouse, Guineafowl, Buttonquails, and Sandgrouse of the World (Princeton Field Guides). Princeton University Press (2002), ISBN 978-0691089089
- BirdLife International (2004). Lophophorus lhuysii. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable and the criteria used
External links
Categories:- IUCN Red List vulnerable species
- Lophophorus
- Birds of China
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