Vietnamese Crested Argus
Rheinardia ocellata
The Vietnamese Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata) is a legendary partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 3 countries, weighing about 279 g. The Vietnamese crested argus is a large and spectacular peafowl-like species of bird in the pheasant family with dark-brown-spotted black and buff plumage, a heavy pink bill, brown irises and blue skin around the eyes.
About the Vietnamese Crested Argus
The Vietnamese crested argus is a large and spectacular peafowl-like species of bird in the pheasant family with dark-brown-spotted black and buff plumage, a heavy pink bill, brown irises and blue skin around the eyes. The head has two crests; the hind crest, which extends down the occiput, is erected when alarmed and during intentional behaviors including pair bonding and courtship displays. The male has a broad and greatly elongated tail of twelve feathers. The tail covert of the male is the longest of any bird and is believed to contain the longest feathers to occur in a wild bird; the Reeves's pheasant has tail feathers of similar length but which are considerably narrower. The tail…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Both sexes are similar in size, with females possessing a prominent marbled barring and more colourful dorsal plumage than the male. They possess white facial plumage marked with disruptive patterning. The female's crest is different morphologically, with more rigid plumes that take up more surface area along the occiput and upper hind neck. Their tails are elongated and laterally compressed, although females have considerably shorter tails. The average length of the female is 74–75 cm (2.43–2.46 ft).
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, December, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Vietnamese Crested Argus?
- Both sexes are similar in size, with females possessing a prominent marbled barring and more colourful dorsal plumage than the male. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Vietnamese Crested Argus?
- The Vietnamese Crested Argus is a medium sized bird weighing about 279 g.
- Where can you see a Vietnamese Crested Argus?
- The Vietnamese Crested Argus occurs in 3 countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos.
- What birds look similar to a Vietnamese Crested Argus?
- The Vietnamese Crested Argus is most easily confused with the Malayan Crested Argus.
- Is the Vietnamese Crested Argus endangered?
- The Vietnamese Crested Argus is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Vietnamese Crested Argus for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.