Blood Pheasant

Ithaginis cruentus

The Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) is a strikingly colored bird found in the eastern Himalayas. This medium-sized pheasant is known for its vibrant plumage, with the male sporting a bright red body and a distinctive black mask, while the female is more subtly colored with a mottled brown and white appearance. These birds inhabit dense, high-altitude forests and are often found in areas with rhododendron and bamboo thickets. Blood Pheasants are typically shy and elusive, foraging on the forest floor for seeds, berries, and insects. Due to habitat loss and hunting pressure, their conservation status is considered Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List.

Habitat: High-altitude forests with rhododendron and bamboo thickets