Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus) is the state bird of Uttarakhand, and and incredibly beautiful bird. In Chopta and by most temples this is a commonly seen bird that will come up close, and happily eat handouts of rice and other tidbits from visitors and residents alike.
This one is shot in Kedarnath Reserve National Park, and is in wild and natural settings, but on my ascent to Tungnath I encountered many of them roaming the alpine meadows.
The iridescent plumage of the male is mesmerizing and like an explosion of colors in a bland landscape nobody will miss.
It sounds like this:
Elevation: 2887
Last updated on 21 June 2024
