Appearance
The great argus is a brown-plumaged pheasant with a blue head and neck, rufous red upper breast, black hair-like feathers on the crown and nape, and red legs. The male is one of the largest of all pheasants, measuring 160–200 cm in total length, including a tail of 105–143 cm, and weighing 2.04–2.72 kg.Males have very long tail feathers and huge, broad and greatly elongated secondary wing feathers decorated with large eyespots. Young males develop their adult plumage in their third year. Females are smaller and duller than males, with shorter tails and fewer eyespots. They measure 72–76 cm in total length, including a tail of 30–36 cm, and weighs 1.59–1.7 kg.
Naming
* Malay language: Kuang raya "great pheasant"
Distribution
The great argus is native to the jungles of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia.
Status
Due to ongoing habitat loss and to being hunted in some areas, the great argus is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
Behavior
Though the great argus is not as colorful as other pheasants, its display surely ranks among the most remarkable. The male clears an open spot in the forest and prepares a dancing ground. He announces himself with loud calls to attract females, then he dances before her with his wings spread into two enormous fans, revealing hundreds of "eyes" while his real eyes are hidden behind it, staring at her.Despite displays similar to polygamous birds and though the great argus was thought to be polygamous in the wild, it has been discovered that it is actually monogamous.
It feeds on the forest floor in early morning and evening. Unusual among Galliformes, the great argus has no uropygial gland and the hen lays only two eggs.
Habitat
The great argus is native to the jungles of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia.References:
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