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Kalij Pheasant (mothura) a ground-dwelling, swift
running, endangered game bird, Lophura leucomelanos, also known
as kalomayur. The bird belongs to the family Phasianidae, order
Galliformes. A village hen-sized bird; its length is about 65 cm. The
upper plumage is blue-black and rump is boldly barred with white, breast
is black and glossed with steel blue and purple. Its feathers are rounded.
Sexes are dimorphic. The female has the shorter tail and more upright
crest.
Both sexes have backwardly directed long black crests. Wings
are over 200 mm in length and rounded. The tail is slightly longer
than the wing, compressed, and 'roof-shaped'. The bird is active
during mornings and evenings, but rests during mid-day. It is
omnivorous. Breeding occurs during February to October. The pheasant
nest is a shallow scrape made by leaves and rubbish. It lays 6-9
eggs. These are pale creamy in appearance and are incubated by
the hen for 24-25 days.
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Kalij Pheasant |
The mothura lives in dense undergrowths in forests and
in the neighbourhood of water and cultivation. They are found in the mixed
evergreen forests of Sylhet and Chittagong areas of the country. Hunting
and habitat loss are the major threats to this bird. They are also found
in India and Bhutan. [Md Anwarul Islam]
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