Nonetheless, in the late 1990s populations of the Western Tragopan, Koklass Pheasant, and Himalayan Monal were found to be declining due to human disturbance (Wildlife Institute of India 1999 Ramesh 2005). The high altitudes, treacherous terrain and harsh winter climate of the Himalayan habitats make these pheasants largely inaccessible to field researchers but have also protected the birds from many of the anthropogenic pressures encountered by more accessible avian species. The species is distributed through the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China (Tibet region), Nepal, and Bhutan in temperate conifer and oak forests scattered with open grassy slopes, cliffs, and alpine meadows at elevations of 2,400–4,500 m (Delacour 1977). For example, men in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh hunted males for their crests, which adorned the men’s ceremonial hats as a sign of high status, although this pressure subsided after hunting was banned in Himachal Pradesh in 1982 (Kumar et al. The bird has been incorporated into the traditional folklore of many Himalayan cultures (Delacour 1977). The Himalayan Monal is one of the most well recognized pheasant species of the western Himalaya because of the male’s metallic, rainbow-colored plumage and iridescent blue head crest. The bird ranges through Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, and Nepal and likely has a relatively large global population size (BirdLife International 2009). The Koklass Pheasant is a surreptitious bird notorious for eluding observers as it skulks in the dense undergrowth and bamboo of temperate broadleaf, conifer and sub-alpine oak forests at 2,100–3,300 m in elevation. The birds live in broadleaf and coniferous forests with thick undergrowth and bamboo at elevations of 2,400–3,600 m (Delacour 1977 Grimmett et al. The Western Tragopan is distributed in the western Himalaya between Hazara, Pakistan and the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, India. It is a favorite among birdwatchers because of the male’s brilliant red neck, colorful throat lappet, and bizarre courtship behaviors. The Western Tragopan is listed as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN and on Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. 1) are three species that have not been extensively studied in their natural habitats. 6), and Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus (Fig. The Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus (Cover) Koklass Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha (Fig. To this end, I report here on the abundances, behavior, and natural history of the Western Tragopan, Koklass Pheasant, and Himalayan Monal that I observed during the breeding season of 2008 in the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), India. More information on the birds’ ecology is needed to aid protected area managers in forming comprehensive conservation plans that accurately prioritize the needs of wild populations threatened by poaching and habitat degradation.
Despite this, much is unknown about pheasant population biology and behavior in the wild because the dense forest and steep terrain of their habitats make them difficult to observe. The colorful plumages and charismatic breeding displays of pheasants have made them prominent figures in traditional folklore and conservation campaigns, as well as-cultural icons appreciated by both native people, and the mainstream public (Kumar et al.
play a valuable role as bio-indicators because of their vulnerability to human exploitation, sensitivity to habitat degradation, and central position in the food web (Fuller & Garson 2000).
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