The Enigmatic White-Tailed Monal
Saevus|March - May 2018

The White-tailed Monal remains an elusive bird in the high-altitude landscape of Arunchal Pradesh. Here’s an account of the most recent sighting that put many theories to rest.

R.Suresh Kumar
The Enigmatic White-Tailed Monal

About an hour’s drive from Dirang town in western Arunachal Pradesh, the pineclad slopes gave way to young trees of Alder. The road was a series of hair-pin bends with frequent landslides. Ahead, the mountain slope turned precipitous and the road became nonexistent. While road construction teams had tried their best, heavy snowfall ate away whatever little that could be maintained. This was in 1998, when I was heading up to Sela Pass for the first time. This continues to be one of India’s most dangerous roads. However, at 4200 m, I was more interested in Sela Pass only because this was Monal country.

Monal pheasants are amongst the most brilliantly coloured birds in the world. The bright bluish-green iridescent plumes are attributed only to the males while females are earthier in colour. Monals are Himalayan equivalent of peacocks, and are known as Mountain Peacocks. Found across the Himalayan arc and adjoining mountains in the east, monals (three species in all) are birds of high alpine pastures and temperate forests. The Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is the most widely distributed. Smallest in body size, the bird’s range extends from eastern Afghanistan up to the Myanmar-China border. Sclater’s Monal (Lophophorus sclateri), a restricted range species of the Eastern Himalaya, extends from Arunachal Pradesh to Myanmar and China. The Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhyusii) is the largest restricted range species endemic to South-West China. The males in all three species distinctly differ in their tail colouration with the Himalayan being cinnamon, the Sclater’s being chestnut with a white band on the tip, and the Chinese having an iridescent bluish-green colour.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Denne historien er fra March - May 2018-utgaven av Saevus.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March - May 2018-utgaven av Saevus.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SAEVUSSe alt
Staying ALIVE!
Saevus

Staying ALIVE!

The importance of getting to the root causes of conflict with wildlife, is essential. Its mitigation will guarantee the very survival of all species.

time-read
8 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Frames from the WILD
Saevus

Frames from the WILD

A few amazing shots from a horde of incredible ones!

time-read
3 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
WAKE UP!
Saevus

WAKE UP!

A frightening thought a world without wildlife, mornings without birdsong, and all that we take for granted! We must realise the dangers threatening the beauteous green world and its inhabitants around us!

time-read
4 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Dolphin DILEMMA!
Saevus

Dolphin DILEMMA!

A crucial article to highlight the significance, and plight of Our riverine friends.

time-read
3 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Gecko Quest!
Saevus

Gecko Quest!

The authors take us on the trail of a gecko from West Bengal, through the hills of the Bankura district.

time-read
2 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Endangered EXOTICA!
Saevus

Endangered EXOTICA!

The author takes us on an exotic ride into the forests of Malaysia, allowing us glimpses of the beauties of its wildlife!

time-read
3 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Mellifluous Magpie!
Saevus

Mellifluous Magpie!

Immerse yourselves in the world of the musical and glorious Magpie Robin! The authors help acquaint us with this beautiful bird.

time-read
10+ mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Think Different!
Saevus

Think Different!

The author brings to us the very real concern for the horses employed around pilgrimage sites in India.

time-read
4 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Take Heed!
Saevus

Take Heed!

The authors make a case for the conservation of the rare and lesser-known Sociable Lapwing.

time-read
6 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24
Close Encounters!
Saevus

Close Encounters!

The author introduces us to two amazing yet very different bird species, showing us the diversity of our ecosystems,

time-read
4 mins  |
SAEVUS NOVEMBER 23 MARCH 24