The great argus, or greater argus, is a large species of pheasant from Southeast Asia. It is known for its impressive plumage and courtship behavior. It is not to be confused with the two species of closely related crested argus, genus Rheinardia.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Inhabits primary and mature secondary lowland to hill dipterocarp rainforests of the Malay Peninsula, southern Thailand, Sumatra, and Borneo. Prefers extensive, relatively undisturbed forest tracts with dense understory and abundant leaf litter. Often frequents ridges, gentle slopes, and areas near fruiting trees and streams. Avoids heavily degraded habitats and large monoculture plantations.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The great argus is a huge forest pheasant famous for the male’s spectacular wing and tail feathers covered in eye-like ocelli used in elaborate courtship displays. Males clear a display court on the forest floor and perform a dance, fanning their wings to create a shimmering wall of eyespots. Despite their great length, they are ground-dwelling and shy, relying on camouflage and stealth. Their far-carrying calls are a signature sound of Southeast Asian lowland rainforests.
"Argus Pheasant" drawn by T. W. Wood for Charles Darwin's 1874 book, Descent of Man
Male at Disney's Animal Kingdom
Feathers of Argus ocellatus (synonym for the crested argus Rheinardia ocellata) and Argus bipunctatus (fourth)
A male great argus (Gus) displaying its fanned wings to its female mate (Mrs. Gus) at the National Aviary
Lateral/rear view
Temperament
shy and elusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Largely solitary; males maintain and meticulously sweep a forest-floor display court. Polygynous mating system with females visiting display sites to choose mates. Nests are simple ground scrapes lined with leaves; the female incubates and cares for the precocial chicks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of loud, resonant calls often rendered as “kow” or “whoo,” repeated at intervals and carrying over long distances through the forest. Males also produce rustling wing sounds during display.
Plumage
Male with extremely elongated, finely vermiculated brown wings and tail, densely patterned with large round ocelli; female shorter-tailed, rufous-brown and mottled for camouflage.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding on fallen fruits, seeds, tender shoots, and a variety of invertebrates such as ants, termites, beetles, and snails. Forages by walking slowly and scratching through leaf litter. Opportunistically takes small vertebrates or other protein-rich items when available.
Preferred Environment
Primarily on the forest floor in dense lowland and hill rainforest, especially near fruiting trees and along quiet trails and ridges. Often forages near cover, retreating quickly at the slightest disturbance.
