Chinese monal
| Chinese monal | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Monal on Balangshan, Sichuan, China | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Genus: | Lophophorus |
| Species: | L. lhuysii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Lophophorus lhuysii | |
The Chinese monal or Chinese impeyan (Lophophorus lhuysii) is a species in the pheasant family Phasianidae native to west-central China, where it is restricted to the mountains of western Sichuan and southern Gansu.
Description
This is the largest of the three monals and, by weight, is one of the larger species of Phasianidae, after the turkeys, the peafowls, and the capercaillies. Males measure 76–80 cm (30–31 in) in length while females measure 72–75 cm (28–30 in). The mean weight is reported to be 3.18 kg (7.0 lb).[3]
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, black underparts, and a white rump; the plumage is highly iridescent. The female is dark brown with white on its throat.
Etymology
The scientific name, lhuysii, commemorates the French statesman Édouard Drouyn de Lhuys.[4]
Status
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.
In captivity
London Zoo and Beijing Zoo have kept Chinese monal but all attempts to establish a captive breeding population failed.
See also
References
- ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Lophophorus lhuysii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016 e.T22679192A92806697. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679192A92806697.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ 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 978-0-691-08908-9
- ^ Jobling, James A (1991). A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. OUP. ISBN 0-19-854634-3.