Koklass Pheasant

The koklass pheasant is a medium-sized, elusive gamebird confined to high-altitude forests from Afghanistan to central Nepal, and in north-eastern Tibet to northern and eastern China. The male's upper parts are silver-grey streaked velvety black, with a black head, chestnut breast and prominent white patches on the sides of the neck. The female has pale brown upper parts, and both sexes have long tails tipped with pale feathers (Wikipedia, general species account).

Males weigh about 1,135 to 1,415g and females 1,025 to 1,135g. The bird skulks under bushes, which makes direct sightings difficult, but gives loud chorus and pre-dawn calls in the breeding season and autumn, which reveal its presence. The name comes from its territorial call. It is highly insectivorous in the warmer months and stays in pairs or small family groups through the year.