THE



Avicultural Magazine


THE JOURNAL OF THE

AVICULTURAL SOCIETY



Fifth Series .—VoL III. —No. 1.— All rights reserved. JANUARY, 1938.



SATYR TRAGOPAN


(Tragopan satyra (Lin.))


This extremely beautiful bird is found in the higher wooded slopes

of the Central and Eastern Himalayas. As in the case of other birds

inhabiting these lofty regions, Tragopan work gradually down at the

approach of winter. Even then, however, they are not very gregarious,

though it is reported that one or two young birds and the mother

keep together for the greater part of the winter. When they feel

approaching danger they slip silently away into the bamboo thickets.


The call note is very distinct from either the alarm or the challenge

cries. The male utters the call as a prelude to his nuptial display—

a high, rather quavering “ Baa ! baa ! baa ! ” But the challenge of the

adult cock is a most remarkable sound with wonderful carrying power.

When heard 50 yards away its deep half-booming, half-bleating character

is very evident. Tragopan cocks in captivity utter this call only during

a few days of the breeding season, but in wild birds the challenging is

kept up for at least two weeks and probably longer.


They are omnivorous feeders but leaves and buds form their principal

diet with the young green shoots of bamboo, seeds of rhododendrons,

and wild fruit, with some insects.


In confinement they soon become pleasantly tame and wfill take

tit-bits from the hand. They are monogamous, and more amiable to

their wives than most of the true Pheasants. The hens as a rule make

good and careful mothers.


E. F. C.



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