Satyr Tragopan male – road crossing, Bhutan

Satyr Tragopan male - road crossing, Bhutan

Satyr Tragopan male – road crossing, Bhutan

The satyr tragopan (Tragopan satyra) also known as the crimson horned pheasant, is a pheasant found in the Himalayan reaches of India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. They reside in moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth and bamboo clumps. They range from 8,000 to 14,000 feet in summer and 6,000 feet in winter. When it is mating season, male satyr tragopans grow blue horns and a gular wattle. When ready to display, they will inflate their horns and hide behind a rock, waiting for females to pass by. When one does, they will perform an elaborate and attractive display in front of the females. At the end of the display, the male will stretch to his full height and show off all of his ornaments. The image here is of a an adult male crossing the road and which is how you typically find this species. It is classified as neat threatened by IUCN.

About the Author:


Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.