Koklass Pheasant

The koklass pheasant is a gamebird whose name derives from its territorial call. The upper parts of the male are silver-grey streaked velvety-black down the centre of each feather, and it has the distinctive combination of a black head, chestnut breast and prominent white patches on the sides of the neck. Males weigh about 1,135–1,415g and females about 1,025–1,135g (Wikipedia, general species account).

Three subspecies are endemic to the southern side of the north-western and western Himalaya, while the other five are confined to China and Mongolia. It is highly insectivorous in the warmer months, which coincide with nesting and chick-rearing, and stays in pairs or small family groups throughout the year. Both parents rear the chicks (Wikipedia, general species account).