The Chinese monal or Chinese impeyan is a species in the pheasant family Phasianidae native to west-central China, where it is restricted to the mountains of western Sichuan and southern Gansu.
Region
Eastern Tibetan Plateau (Sichuan–Gansu mountains)
Typical Environment
Occurs in subalpine conifer and mixed forests, rhododendron thickets, and alpine meadows near the treeline. In summer it frequents open slopes and shrub-forest ecotones where soils are soft enough for digging. During winter it descends slightly into denser forest and south-facing slopes to avoid deep snow. It prefers rugged terrain with scattered rocks and understory cover for nesting and escape.
Altitude Range
2600–4700 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Chinese monal is a high-elevation pheasant famed for the male’s iridescent plumage and bold white back patch used in courtship displays. It forages by digging with its stout bill for bulbs and roots, often leaving characteristic pits in the soil. Mostly sedentary, it makes short altitudinal movements between seasons to track snow-free foraging areas.
Male in flight, showing the white rump.
Temperament
wary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats followed by a downhill glide
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly, in pairs, or small family parties outside the breeding season. Likely monogamous; nests are shallow ground scrapes tucked under shrubs or grass tussocks. Hens incubate while males remain nearby and may act as sentinels.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Males give clear, fluting whistles and ringing calls, especially at dawn during the breeding season. Both sexes also utter low grunts and clucks as contact or alarm notes.
