The satyr tragopan also known as the crimson horned pheasant, is a pheasant found in the Himalayan reaches of India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. They reside in moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth and bamboo clumps. They range from 2400 to 4200 meters in summer and 1800 meters in winter. The male is about 70 cm long.
Region
Himalayas
Typical Environment
Occurs from northern India (Uttarakhand through Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh) across Nepal and Bhutan into southern Tibet. Prefers moist temperate broadleaf and mixed forests dominated by oak and rhododendron with dense undergrowth and bamboo. It uses steep slopes, forest edges, and regenerating clearings where cover is thick. The species shifts downslope in winter and ascends to subalpine zones in summer as conditions and food change.
Altitude Range
1800–4200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Males display spectacular inflatable blue horns and a blue throat lappet during courtship, earning the name 'crimson horned pheasant.' Unlike most pheasants, satyr tragopans often nest above ground in trees or shrubs. They make seasonal altitudinal movements following snow lines and food availability. Their loud, far-carrying calls are a hallmark of Himalayan forests at dawn.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with glides
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs, becoming more conspicuous in the breeding season when males call from perches and perform elaborate ground displays. Nests are often placed in trees or dense shrubs, sometimes using old nests, with clutches typically of 2–5 eggs. Parents are attentive, and broods forage under cover near forest edges.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Male gives loud, far-carrying hoots and wails, often at dawn and dusk, that echo through valleys. During display he adds grunts and croaks while inflating the blue lappet and horns. Calls are used to advertise territory and attract females.
