Satyr Tragopan
Image: Omkar S Damle (cc-by-nc)
NameSatyr Tragopan
Common NameSatyr Tragopan
Scientific NameTragopan satyra
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)65
Length (cm)65
Weight (g)1700
Plumage DetailsMales have a vibrant crimson-red body adorned with prominent white spots (ocelli) on the back and flanks. They feature a black bill, a blue face, and a black crown, along with inflatable blue gular wattles and two fleshy blue horns displayed during courtship. Females are duller, mottled brown with black markings and a buff throat, providing camouflage.
Vocalization / CallKnown for a loud, mournful, wailing call, often described as a series of 'waa-waa-waa-waa-oh-aah-oh' notes, typically delivered from a perch.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatstemperate forest, subalpine forest, rhododendron thickets, bamboo thickets
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeFound in the eastern Himalayas, ranging from Nepal through Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh in India, and parts of southeastern Tibet.
Identifying Featuresmale's crimson body with white ocelli, blue facial skin, inflatable blue gular wattle (males), fleshy blue horns (males), loud wailing call, ground-dwelling in dense forest undergrowth
Description
The Satyr Tragopan is a medium-sized, brightly colored pheasant native to the Himalayan region. Males are particularly striking with their crimson and blue plumage, while females are more cryptically colored in mottled browns. These shy birds are primarily ground-dwelling, foraging in dense forest undergrowth.
