Random encounters

Although the jungle is full of creatures, they're more often heard than seen. And although birds are normally easier to see than mammals, the same principle applies. But sometimes... we get lucky.

I was doing a hiking trail in Taman Negara National Park, in Malaysia, and when I looked ahead, there they were, completely silent.

These beautiful birds are pheasants: crested firebacks, Lophura ignita. Most pheasants have a very marked sexual dimorphism (in non-geek language, males and females have very different plummage 😉 ), and males usually have bright colours and adornments. And seeing the couple side by side, it becomes so easy to set them appart. Can you guess which one is the male?

If you guessed the one on top... you are right! Not that the female is ugly, no:

But the male, with its blue featherless face, the little crest, and the amazing bluish-black colour, is simply stunning! The rump has red colour, hence their name, but unfortunately I couldn't get a better photo.

Once they spotted me, they slowly gained distance, until they vanished into the jungle. But they still allowed me to appreciate their presence for a few minutes. These encounters only make nature trails even more awesome!

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