The Times of India

The Himalayan Monal: Meet the rare nine-coloured jewel of the Himalayas that looks like a fantasy creature

Discover the Himalayan Monal, a dazzling pheasant often called the 'nine-coloured bird' for its spectacular iridescent plumage. This national bird of Nepal and state bird of Uttarakhand inhabits high-altitude Himalayan forests. Despite its beauty, its population is declining due to hunting, habitat loss, and climate change, making this mountain jewel increasingly vulnerable.