IMPEYAN LOPHOPHORUS IMPEYANUS HIMALAYAS

One of three species of Monals, the Impeyan pheasant is the most popular and the one found at many aviaries. This most exotic of all pheasants inhabits high elevations of the Himalayan range and is considered threatened across much of his range as are the Sclater's Monal and the Chinese Monal. The male’s large size and markings with iridescent plumage are like no other with descriptions of having rainbow colorings being an accurate description. With brilliant metallic feathers of blue, green, purple, red, and black this hardy pheasant remains a favorite of ours. The hen is plainly marked with light brown, whitish mottled feathers, and has a white band across her throat making her easier to sex even as a yearling. The male has black flecks on his feathers in his throat area even as a yearling also quite easy to recognize the male by behavior and the larger head and his longer curved bill.  Their display is like no other in the pheasant world with the male bowing and seemingly hiding his legs. As times and the world changes we have now encountered West Nile Virus, which has been devastating to the Impeyan Pheasants here in the Mid West that we know of personally. They have been depleted and are affected more than any other in the pheasant family, but older birds and those with weak immune systems do succumb also. This is a personal observation from my experience and has not been proven. Having lost all young including my breeders in 2002. My lone surviving male will be paired with a hen with a similar background and we will find out in 2004 if they are truly immune like experts have told me... These birds need to be kept on dry ground or sand as they are more susceptible to disease, and they do not tolerate heat at all.  Wet conditions will bring disease to your birds and make for a short life span not only with Impeyans but any other pheasant. Those aviculturalists that keep them across the South and arid climates have installed a misting system for their comfort from the heat. They love greens and fruits as most other pheasants, but we also like to give them grasses with roots along with mealworms, which they savor Incubation is 28 days.