Archive for 'Phasianidae'

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Encountering this koklass pheasant peacefully feeding off the juicy spring shoots and buttercup flowers was a wonderful experience. Not a sound of human activity in the air. Just nature and the sounds, sights and scents of an early spring morning. It sounds like this: Elevation: 2562 meters

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

The many species of pheasant found in the Himalayas is incredible, and seeing them up close on the road like this is exiting as it is surprising. Yet it is a sign they are not disturbed by humans up here in Kedarnath Reserve National Park. During morning and late evening you’ll hear the calls of […]

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

The state bird of Uttarakhand, and and incredibly beautiful bird. In Chopta and by most temples this is a commonly seen bird that will come up close, and happily eat handouts of rice and other tidbits from visitors and residents alike. This one is shot in Kedarnath Reserve National Park, and is in wild and […]

Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

Red junglefowl (Gallus gallus)

This is a common species, but nonetheless a beautiful one, especially when you can see it in the open like here, where it was foraging in the leaf litter and strutting around to seemingly reaffirm its splendor to the two females foraging with him. Later it appeared I would encounter this species many times, but […]

Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

Kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos)

On my way down from an amazing sunrise near the Dochula Pass I encountered this gorgeous male strolling leisurely with his mate which was blending in perfectly with the landscape. This is one of several amazing species of pheasants roaming the Himalayas and they are like birds from a fairy tale. Beauty is in the […]

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

Although this is not a threatened species that does not mean it is either common to see, despite its amazing iridescent plumage, or easy to find. This particular location, Choeje Dra Monastery, is known to be a rare spot where they can be seen regularly as the monks hand out rice leftovers that attracts many […]

Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)

Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)

After a beautiful sunrise as we were ascending towards the pass we encountered the first of several blood pheasants here. I find both male and females really beautiful in their own right. The male is flamboyant and conspicuous, but the female blends so amazingly with the surroundings. Unfortunately I did not have the camera on […]