Sclater's Monal

Lophophorus sclateri Jerdon, 1870

Sclater's Monal, Lophophorus sclateri, is a galliform bird of the eastern Himalayas in the Oriental Region, where it lives in mountain forests. It was described by Jerdon in 1870 and belongs to the pheasant family. Also called the crestless monal, it is a monal pheasant and the name honours Philip Lutley Sclater. The male has a striking iridescent plumage, with metallic green crown feathers, a copper neck, a purplish-black throat, a white back, blue orbital skin, a yellowish-orange bill and a brown iris. The female is mostly dark brown, with a white throat and tail-tip.

Order

Galliformes

Family

Phasianidae — Pheasants & Allies

Breeding range

Oriental Region: e Himalayas