Western tragopan
| Western Tragopan | |
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| Species: | T. melanocephalus
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| Binomial name | |
| Tragopan melanocephalus Gray, 1829
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The Western Tragopan is a medium sized brightly plumaged pheasant, with males and females weighing 1800 – 2200g and 1300 – 1400g respectively. Length of males varies between 65 and 75cm and that of the females 60 – 65cm. Male possesses a red-tipped long crest, feathered with reddish back, and the sides of the neck and face are red. Upper parts are covered with buffish grey and black with prominent white spots. Crest feathers are absent in females and they lack the red colour excepting on the face and legs which are pinkish. 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 possess unique feature in the form of a naked throat which, during breeding, is called as lappet and is displayed for attracting females. Moreover, they call loudly during the breeding season to attract females and to defend territories.
Western Tragopan, Tragopan melanocephalus also known as Western Horned Tragopan is considered to be the rarest of all living pheasants. This endangered pheasant is endemic to the northwest Himalaya with a narrow range from Hazara in north Pakistan through Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh to the western part of Garhwal in India. Due to its beautiful plumage and large size, this bird is locally (in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh) called “Jujurana” which means “King of Birds”. It inhabits upper temperate forests between 2400 and 3600m in summer, and in winter, dense coniferous and broad leave forests between 2000 to 2800 m elevations. They mostly feed on leaves, shoots, seeds, but also consume insects and other invertebrates. Like most of the pheasants, they roost on trees singly or in pairs except during nesting, which is reported to be on ground and also on tree.
Population of Western Tragopan is threatened by several anthropogenic factors throughout its range. The declining world population of this species has been estimated to be much below 5000 individuals, including captive population which is 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 (Western Himalaya), the Western Tragopan has been described as a range-restricted species.