Chinese Monal
Encyclopedia
The Chinese Monal, Lophophorus lhuysii, is one of the most brilliant of all pheasant
s. 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 monal
s and, by mass, is one of the largest pheasants (after the turkey
s and the Green
and Indian Peafowl
s). Males measure 76–80 cm (29.9–31.5 in) in length while females measure 72–75 cm (28.3–29.5 in). The mean weight is reportedly 3.18 kg (7 lb).
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.
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...
s. This monal is restricted to mountains of central China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. 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 monal
Monal
A Monal is a bird of genus Lophophorus of the Pheasant family, Phasianidae. There are three species and several sub-species within the genus Lophophorus:* Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus* Sclater's Monal Lophophorus sclateri...
s and, by mass, is one of the largest pheasants (after the turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
s and the Green
Green Peafowl
The Green Peafowl or Javan Peafowl, Pavo muticus is a large Galliform bird that is found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia...
and Indian Peafowl
Indian Peafowl
The Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl is a large and brightly coloured bird of the pheasant family native to South Asia, but introduced and semi-feral in many other parts of the world...
s). Males measure 76–80 cm (29.9–31.5 in) in length while females measure 72–75 cm (28.3–29.5 in). The mean weight is reportedly 3.18 kg (7 lb).
The scientific name commemorates the French statesman Edmond Drouyn de Lhuys
Edmond Drouyn de Lhuys
Edouard Drouyn de Lhuys was a French statesman and diplomat, born at Melun in the department of Seine et Marne. He was educated at the College of Louis-le-Grande. The scion of a wealthy and noble house, he excelled in rhetoric. He quickly became interested in politics and diplomacy.He was...
.
Due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, limited range and illegal hunting, the Chinese Monal is evaluated as Vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
on IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix I of CITES.