Vietnamese Crested Argus
NameVietnamese Crested Argus
Common NameVietnamese Crested Argus
Scientific NameRheinardia ocellata
FamilyPhasianidae
Wingspan (cm)75
Length (cm)75
Weight (g)1250
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is predominantly mottled brown with fine buff speckling, giving a scaled appearance to the body feathers. The head is small with bare, bluish-grey facial skin and a short, bristly crest. The long tail feathers, especially prominent in males, are marked with distinctive ocelli (eye-spots) and wavy bars; females have shorter, barred tails.
Vocalization / CallKnown for loud, far-carrying, mournful calls, often described as a series of 'hoo-hoo-hoo' notes that can carry for long distances through the forest, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Primary Dietomnivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeEndemic to the Annamite Mountains of central Vietnam and possibly adjacent areas of Laos, inhabiting dense primary and secondary evergreen forests.
Identifying Featureslong, graduated tail feathers (especially in males), mottled brown plumage with fine speckling, bare bluish-grey facial skin, short, bristly crest, distinctive ocelli and wavy bars on tail feathers
Description
This large, ground-dwelling pheasant is characterized by its cryptic brown plumage, which helps it blend into its dense forest habitat. Males possess exceptionally long, ornate tail feathers and a distinctive crest, while females are smaller with shorter tails and less elaborate plumage. They are shy birds, typically found foraging on the forest floor.
