About Lophura nycthemera (Linnaeus, 1758)
Lophura nycthemera is a relatively large pheasant with significant variation in size across its different subspecies, and between males and females of the species. For males, the largest subspecies reach a total length of 120 to 125 cm (47 to 49 in), including a tail that can grow up to 75 cm (30 in). The smallest subspecies of males barely reach a total length of 70 cm (28 in), with a tail that measures around 30 cm (12 in). Male body mass ranges from 1.13 to 2.00 kg (2.49 to 4.41 lb). Females of all subspecies are noticeably smaller than the corresponding males of their subspecies. Female total length ranges from 55 to 90 cm (22 to 35 in), including a tail measuring 24 to 32 cm (9.4 to 12.6 in). Female body mass ranges from 1.0 to 1.3 kg (2.2 to 2.9 lb). The largest northern subspecies males have white upperparts and tail, where most feathers bear some black markings; their underparts and crest are glossy bluish-black. Southern subspecies males have greyer upperparts and tail covered in extensive black markings, which makes them look much darker than northern subspecies males. Adult male plumage fully develops in the second year of life. Females are brown with shorter tails than males. Some subspecies of females have whitish underparts that are heavily patterned with black; in the subspecies L. n. whiteheadi, this black patterning on pale plumage also extends to the upper mantle.
