Himalayan Monal in Sikkim

© Prasenjeet Yadav/National Geographic Image Collection/Getty Imag

The Himalayan Monal. One of the most beautiful Himalayan birds

What you are looking at is the Himalayan Monal. The one in the picture is a male, identified by his multicolour coppery coat (the females are a bit subdued in colour). Belonging to the pheasant family, this bird is the national bird of Nepal, and also the state bird of Uttarakhand. It is also known as the Impeyan Pheasant or the Impeyan Monal.