Himalayan Monal (Danphe)
Female at Fife Animal Park, Scotland
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Subfamily:	Phasianinae
Genus:	Lophophorus
Species:	L. impejanus
Binomial name
Lophophorus impejanus (Latham, 1790)

The Himalayan Monal, Lophophorus impejanus also known as the Impeyan Monal or Impeyan Pheasant or Danphe is a bird of genus Lophophorus of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is the national bird of Nepal, where it is known as the Danfe, and the state bird of Uttarakhand.

Traditionally, the Himalayan Monal has been classified as monotypic. However, studies have shown that the male Himalayan Monals of northwestern India lack the white rump that other Himalayan Monals have, and have more green on the breast, indicating the possibility of a second subspecies.^[2]

The scientific name commemorates Lady Mary Impey, the wife of the British chief justice of Bengal, Sir Elijah Impey.

It is a relatively large-sized bird with reference to family Phasianidae. About 70 cm in length, the weight of males and females range between 1980-2380g and 1800-2150g respectively. Adult males possess a long crest, are feathered with multicoloured plumage throughout their body, while the females, like in other pheasants, are dull in colour with the upper parts covered with dark brownish-black feathers. Notable features in males are a long crest that is metallic green, changeable reddish copper on the back and sides of the neck, and a prominent white back and rump while in flight (birds of northwestern India lack this). Tail feathers of males are uniformly rufous being darker towards the tips, whereas the lower tail coverts of females are white, barred with black and rufous. Females have a prominent white patch in the fore neck and a white strip on the tail. First year males and immatures resemble females, but first year males are larger and the immatures are less distinctly marked.

The Himalayan Monal secures a distinct position among pheasants due to its prominent build, brilliant plumage and strong association with local folklore. Its natural range spreads from eastern Afghanistan through the Himalayas including Kashmir region of Northern Pakistan, India (states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh), Nepal, southern Tibet and Bhutan. There is also a report of its occurrence in Burma. It occupies upper temperate oak-conifer forests interspersed with open grassy slopes, cliffs and alpine meadows between 2400 – 4500m, mostly concentrating in a narrow belt of 2700 – 3700m. They seem to exhibit clear and fluctuating altitudinal migration reaching as low as 2000m in winter. They, however, show tolerance to snow and have been observed to dig through snow for roots, tubers and other plant parts, and invertebrates. Seen in pairs during the breeding season (April to August), they form large coveys and involve in communal roosting during the winter. The population of this species in most of its range is threatened due to poaching and other anthropogenic factors. In a recent study, their population responded negatively to human disturbance (Hydro-electric project development)^[3] The male monal has been under heavy hunting pressure for its crest feather, which was used for ornamental hats of Himachal men, until 1982 when legal hunting was banned in the state.

Himalayan Monal are found at an elevation of 8,000 feet (2,400 m) to 12,000 feet (3,700 m) in the Himalaya range of Pakistan and the surrounding valleys. They are mainly found in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province but can be found in Kaghan, Palas Valley, and Azad Kashmir.^[4]

The pheasant is not considered endangered in the region and can be easily sighted. In some areas, the population density of the species is as high as five pairs per square mile. The main threat to the species arise from 'crest hunting' as the plumage of the male pheasant is used as an ornament and relates to status and authority. However, such cases are still rare in the region as compared to neighbouring India and Nepal.^[4]

In the 2009 Disney-Pixar Film Up, the large flightless tropical bird "Kevin" (which is actually a female) is based upon the iridescent appearance of a male Himalayan Monal found at the Sacramento Zoo.^[5] The bird, named Genghis, has since died.^[6]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lophophorus impejanus.

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• Monal photos and information
• Galliforms and Pheasants