Western Tragopan
Encyclopedia
The Western Tragopan or Western Horned Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) is a medium-sized brightly plumaged pheasant
found along the Himalayas
from Hazara in northern Pakistan
in the west to Uttarakhand
within India
to the east. The species is highly endangered and globally threatened.
The male is very dark, grey and black with numerous white spots, each spot bordered with black and deep crimson patches on the sides and back of the neck. The throat is bare with blue skin while the bare facial skin is red. They have a small black occipital crest. Females have pale brownish-grey upper parts finely vermiculated and spotted with black, and most of the feathers have black patches and central white streaks. Immature males resemble females, but are larger in size with longer legs and variable amount of black on head and red on neck.
Males weigh 1.8 – and females weigh 1.25–1.4 kg (2.8–3.1 lb). The males vary in length from 55 – while the females are 48 –.
s between 2,400 and 3,600 m in summer, and in winter, dense coniferous and broad-leaved forests between 2,000 to 2,800 m elevations. The Western Tragopan is mostly arboreal but feeds on the ground. They feed mostly on leaves, shoots, seeds, but also consume insects and other invertebrates. Like most of the pheasants, they roost in trees singly or in pairs except during nesting.
The males during display show the throat inflated into lappets that appear purple with pink margins. They also display blue horns with a fancied resemblance to those of the Greek mythological god Pan
, whence the name Tragopan (Tragos goat + Pan). During the display they call and the song is a loud two-note ringing wou-weee which is repeated every second for long periods. The breeding season is May–June. They build their nests in low tree hollows.
Population of C is threatened by several anthropogenic factors throughout its range. The world population is estimated at less than 5,000 individuals, including a captive population of less than five at the moment. CITES has listed this species in Appendix I in order to discourage selling of its feathers. Representing the endemic bird area D02 of Western Himalaya, the Western Tragopan has been described as a range-restricted species.
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
found along the Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
from Hazara in northern Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in the west to Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand , formerly Uttaranchal, is a state in the northern part of India. It is often referred to as the Land of Gods due to the many holy Hindu temples and cities found throughout the state, some of which are among Hinduism's most spiritual and auspicious places of pilgrimage and worship...
within India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to the east. The species is highly endangered and globally threatened.
Identification
Males weigh 1.8 – and females weigh 1.25–1.4 kg (2.8–3.1 lb). The males vary in length from 55 – while the females are 48 –.
Distribution
Five populations are known from Kohistan, Kaghan valley, Kishtwar, Chamba, Kullu and an area east of the Satluj river. They are found from an altitude of 1,750 m to 3,600 m, going up higher in summer. Their preferred habitat is the dense understorey of temperate, subalpine and broad-leaved forest.Habits
It inhabits upper temperate forestTemperate forest
Temperate forests correspond to forest concentrations formed in the northern hemisphere. Main characteristics include: wide leaves, big and tall trees and non seasonal vegetation...
s between 2,400 and 3,600 m in summer, and in winter, dense coniferous and broad-leaved forests between 2,000 to 2,800 m elevations. The Western Tragopan is mostly arboreal but feeds on the ground. They feed mostly on leaves, shoots, seeds, but also consume insects and other invertebrates. Like most of the pheasants, they roost in trees singly or in pairs except during nesting.
The males during display show the throat inflated into lappets that appear purple with pink margins. They also display blue horns with a fancied resemblance to those of the Greek mythological god Pan
Pan (mythology)
Pan , in Greek religion and mythology, is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, nature, of mountain wilds, hunting and rustic music, as well as the companion of the nymphs. His name originates within the Greek language, from the word paein , meaning "to pasture." He has the hindquarters, legs,...
, whence the name Tragopan (Tragos goat + Pan). During the display they call and the song is a loud two-note ringing wou-weee which is repeated every second for long periods. The breeding season is May–June. They build their nests in low tree hollows.
Status
The Western Tragopan is considered the rarest of all living pheasants. Their range is very restricted. In Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, this bird is locally called Jujurana which means King of Birds.Population of C is threatened by several anthropogenic factors throughout its range. The world population is estimated at less than 5,000 individuals, including a captive population of less than five at the moment. CITES has listed this species in Appendix I in order to discourage selling of its feathers. Representing the endemic bird area D02 of Western Himalaya, the Western Tragopan has been described as a range-restricted species.
External links
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- IUCN Red List
- Tragopanery The Valendries
- Home of Western Tragopan
- http://www.himachal.nic.in/tour/glance.htm(Government of Himachal Pradesh )