Temminck's Tragopan

Scientific name: Tragopan temminckii
Family: Phasianidae
Order: Galliformes
Class: Aves

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

The tragopans are horned pheasants with short bills and tail feathers that are shorter than wing length. The female Temminck's tragopan has feathers in a dull mixture of black, brown, and gray which they use as camouflage while the male tragopan is much more extravagant. The males have brownish red plumage that have ocelli underneath and large eyespots that are surrounded by black borders. Each individual feather is gray and has a striking red border. The male tragopan has blue skin on its face and a bib-like wattle on its throat.

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT:

The Temminck's tragopan can be found in Eastern India, Southern and Central Asia, as well as Central China. Unlike most of their pheasant relatives, the Temminck's tragopan prefers to nest in trees and can be found living at altitudes between 3,000 and 12,000 ft.

BEHAVIOR:

Tragopans are very shy in the wild and usually hide in the trees among the foliage, although in captivity they can be tamed. They live singly or in pairs.

DIET:

In the wild, tragopans have a very diverse diet. They feed on berries, seeds, leaves, shoots, fruits, and insects. The Temminck's tragopan usually takes over someone else's abandoned nest to lay their eggs. When the female has found a suitable nest, she will line it with leaves and twigs and lay 3-4 eggs in it. She will incubate the eggs for 28-30 days until they hatch. The new chicks develop very quickly and are able to fly just days after hatching. The Temmink's tragopan is on the endangered species list. Their habitat is being invaded by humans and their forests are being cut down. These birds are also hunted for their colorful feathers. Efforts are being made to breed these birds in captivity.

(Mahalo to Leeward Community College's Zoology 101 Class for their contribution)