
Psychology and Behavior 
The kalij is a somewhat less agile, tamer bird than is the 
junglefowl. Even wild-caught young, reared in captivity become so 
tame that they may be easily picked up by hand. Wild adults in pens, 
however, when closely approached, usually utter a sharp squealing 
whistle and take to flight. 
Males are pugnacious during the breeding season, often 
fighting among themselves, though seldom to the death. Combats 
between them and red junglefowl males at such time have been reported 
with victory usually going to the latter. 
In captivity there is normally little difficulty in keeping 
birds of both sexes closely penned throughout the year. Apparently 
the females are also sometimes pugnacious, for in the pens at New 
Delhi several males were killed by females who seemed to take a dislike 
to particular birds much as do the ruffed grouse. They are not as 
territory conscious as junglefowl and get along well when penned with 
most other game birds. 
Calls 
When excited or alarmed either sex may utter a long squealing 
whistle often followed by loud and deep clucking noises. There is 
also a low "tweet'' in a conversational tone when the birds are not 
alarmed. Hens are said to come forth with a deep, repeated "whoof." 
Interbreeding 
Hume (8) reports that instances are known of the kalij 
crossing with monal and koklass pheasants though this is certainly 
rare. There.is no record of crosses between kalij and junglefowl even 
though they are often common to the same forest area. 
Predation 
Kalij, like junglefowl do not seem to be particularly 
susceptible to the numerous predators inhabiting southern Asia. Though 
they are tamer birds, their larger size and weight may be an advantage 
in this respect. No kalij were found dead from predation nor were any 
such instances reported to us. 
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