Sclater’s Monal (Lophophorus sclateri)

Other Names: Crestless Monal

Range: Southeast Tibet, Southwest China, Northeast Burma.

Subspecies: There is some debate and more research needed, but there are possibly two races recently described. L. s. sclateri and L s. orientalis.

Habitat: Rhododendron thickets and undergrowth to the alpine zone at altitudes of 11,000 to 12,000 feet.

Description: Unlike the other two Monal species, the Sclater’s male has no obvious and much shorter crest. Slightly smaller than the Impeyan, the crown is bluish green, the sides of the neck are metallic reddish bronze; the facial skin is blue. The rest of the upper parts metallic green, blue and black. A most noticeable feature is the white back and rump that extends to a broad chestnut band on the tail which is tipped with white. orientalis males have a narrower tail band. Females are darker than other Monals and with no crest, tail tipped with white and shorter; overall brown with fine barring of dark brown and buff on breast.