Blyth’s Tragopan (Tragopan blythi)

Other Names: Grey-bellied Tragopan.

Range: Northeastern India, northwestern Myanmar and southern Tibet.

Subspecies: Two, T. b. blythi and T. b. molesworthi.

Habitat: Dense mountain forests to 9,000 feet.

Description: The largest of the Tragopans, the adult male is a brillantly colored bird. The bare face skin is bright yellow, a black band extends from the base of the bill to the crown and another black band extends behind the eye. During courtship, the yellow wattle is not as long as in other Tragopans, only about 1 1/2 inches long. The upper breast and neck is rusty red, not as bright as the Temminck’s or Satyr. The lower breast and belly is grayish-red with faint spots. The back and rest of the body is brownish red with many white ocelli. The full plumage is not attained until the second year. molesworthi is darker than blythi, gray on lower breast is paler and extends higher on the breast.

Description, Female: Similar to the Satyr hen, but is larger and paler. Overall dark brown with black, buff and white mottling. Differs from Temmincks in lacking the bold white spots on underparts. molesworthi darker.

Status in Wild: Considered vulnerable.

Breeding Age: Second year.

Clutch Size: 2 to 5 eggs

Incubation Period: 28 to 30 days.