Chinese Monal

(Lophophorus lhuysii)

• Avicultural Data
• Images
• Bibliography
• Links

Lophophorus lhuysii Photo by John Corder

Other Names: Chinese Impeyan

Range: Central China

Habitat: Coniferous forests and alpine meadows up to 16,000 feet and 9,000 feet in winter.

Brief Description: The largest of the Monals. Male similar to the Himalayan Monal, but having a bushy, drooping crest which is an ireidescent purple-bronze; the head is metallic green; orbital skin blue; hindneck and mantle coppery gold; neck, throat and chin black; lower back is white (concealed when not in flight); underparts black. The female differs from impeyanus in have a blacker back with the feathers barred; the lower back is white. Underparts blackish-brown, with buff streaks.

Status in Wild: Listed as a CITES Appendix I endangered species.

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: Not kept in private collections. It is believed that the only birds in captivity outside of China are at the San Diego Zoo.

Clutch Size: 3 to 5 eggs.

Incubation Period: 28 days.

Misc. Aviculture Notes: As mentioned, there are no birds in private aviaries. The San Diego Zoo has been successful in producing a few chicks, but it is unlikely that this species will ever be available to the private breeder.

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

(l to r):

Any help with photos would be greatly appreciated; e-mail lophura@hughes.net if you can help.

• Delacour, J. 1977. The Pheasants of the World. 2nd ed., World Pheasant Association and Spur Publications, Hindhead, U.K.
• Delacour, J. 1978. Pheasants: Their Care and Breeding. T.F.H. Publishing, Neptune, NJ.
• De Schauensee, R.M. 1984. The Birds of China. Smithsonian Press, Washington D.C.
• Howman, K. 1991. Pheasants of the World: Their Breeding and Management. Hancock House Publishers, Surrey, B.C. Canada.
• Johnsgard, P.A. 1999. The Pheasants of the World: Biology and Natural History. 2nd ed., Smithsonian Press, Washington D.C.
• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Links related to this species. Please note, links will open in a new window.

• Chinese Monal - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Images & Sounds.
• Species info - Lophophorus lhuysii - From the BirdLife International's Red Data Book on Threatened Birds of Asia.
• OBC - Chinese Monal - Images of this species from the Oriental Bird Club Image Database.
• Wikipedia - Chinese Monal - Wikipedia's species page.