Sclater's monal also known as the crestless monal is a Himalayan landfowl. The name commemorates the British zoologist Philip Lutley Sclater.
Region
Eastern Himalayas and northern Myanmar
Typical Environment
Found in montane forests and subalpine scrub from northeastern India through southeastern Tibet to northern Myanmar. It favors rhododendron and conifer forests with dense bamboo undergrowth and edges of alpine meadows. In summer it occupies higher slopes with open patches for foraging; in winter it descends to slightly lower, more sheltered forest. Ground-dwelling and often elusive, it uses steep, rugged terrain for cover.
Altitude Range
2500–4200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Sclater's monal, also called the crestless monal, is a high-altitude pheasant of the eastern Himalayas named for British zoologist Philip Lutley Sclater. Unlike the Himalayan monal, the male lacks a long showy crest. It digs vigorously with its stout bill to unearth bulbs and tubers and makes seasonal upslope/downslope movements with snow. Hunting and habitat loss have contributed to ongoing declines.
Male
Temperament
shy and elusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats followed by glides; strong burst flier
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or in small family groups. During the breeding season pairs form and the nest is a shallow ground scrape concealed under shrubs or among roots. Clutches are small to moderate, and adults rely on camouflage and terrain for protection.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Vocalizations include clear, ringing whistles and sharp, harsh calls, most frequent at dawn and dusk. Alarm calls are abrupt and carry far across valleys.
Plumage
Male shows dark, metallic gloss with iridescent green, blue, and purplish tones and a contrasting pale/white lower back and rump; tail chestnut; notably lacks a long erectile crest. Female is mottled brown with buff and black barring, well camouflaged for the forest floor, with a paler throat and belly.
Diet
Feeds on bulbs, tubers, roots, seeds, berries, and a variety of invertebrates such as insects and larvae. It uses its powerful bill to dig and scratch in leaf litter and soil, often leaving characteristic foraging pits. Seasonal diet shifts toward plant matter in winter and more invertebrates when available in warmer months.
Preferred Environment
Forages on the forest floor and meadow edges, especially in rhododendron-bamboo thickets and open subalpine clearings. Steep slopes with soft soil and leaf litter are preferred for digging.
