View source for Western tragopan

{{Taxobox
| name = Western Tragopan
| image =  WesternTragopan.jpg
| status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1
| trend = down
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Galliformes]]
| familia = [[Phasianidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Phasianinae]]
| genus = ''[[Tragopan]]''
| species = '''''T. melanocephalus'''''
| binomial = ''Tragopan melanocephalus''
| binomial_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1829
| range_map = Tragopan_melanocephalus_map.png
}} 
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.

==Identification==
[[Image:WestTragopan.jpg|thumb|left|Illustration by [[D J Elliot]]]]
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 (feathers)|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 1,800–2,200 g and females 1,300–1,400 g. The males vary in length from 55–60&nbsp;cm while the females are 48–50&nbsp;cm.

==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 forest]]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 (mythology)|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 [[Reproduction|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 [[human impact on the environment|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.

==References==
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=22062|title=Tragopan melanocephalus|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable and the criteria used
* Rasmussen, P.C & Anderton, J. C. (2005) Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Edicions.

== External links ==
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=237&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
* [http://www.redlist.org/search/details.php?species=22062 IUCN Red List]
* [http://www.tragopan.nl Tragopanery The Valendries]
* [http://www.greathimalayannationalpark.com Home of Western Tragopan]
* [http://www.himachal.nic.in/tour/glance.htm](Government of Himachal Pradesh )

[[Category:Tragopan]]
[[Category:Fauna of the Himalayas]]
[[Category:Birds of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Birds of Kashmir]]
[[Category:Birds of India]]
[[Category:Birds of Nepal]]

[[br:Tragopan ar c'hornôg]]
[[ca:Tragopan occidental]]
[[de:Schwarzkopftragopan]]
[[es:Tragopan melanocephalus]]
[[eo:Nigrakapa tragopano]]
[[fr:Tragopan de Hastings]]
[[hu:Kasmír-tragopán]]
[[nl:Zwartkapsaterhoen]]
[[ja:ハイイロジュケイ]]
[[pnb:ججورانا]]
[[pl:Tragopan rudolicy]]
[[simple:Western Tragopan]]
[[zh:黑头角雉]]