Our Animals

Great Argus Argusianus argus

FUN FACT

The male Great Argus has the longest tail feathers of any wild bird.

A fabulously majestic resident of tall, dry, primary, and secondary forests of the Indo-Malayan region, the Great Argus forages solitarily for fruit, seeds, flowers, and invertebrates on the forest floor. The bird’s taxonomic and common names both derive from Argus, the hundred-eyed giant, from Greek mythology (a reference to the many eye-like spots on the Argus’s wings and tail). Male Great Argus put on quite a courtship show on their “dancing grounds”: they carefully clear an area of all debris, then march in circles and stomp their feet loudly in front of the female. Then, he’ll show off his feathers in an incredible display, with wing feathers fanned out around his body and his two long tail feathers high up above him. The male’s call is a very loud and startling, “Kwow-wow!” Habitat loss from legal and illegal logging and hunting and trapping threaten the future of this remarkable pheasant.

Great Argus

Argusianus argus
Indo-Malayan

Habitat

Tall, dry, lowland primary, secondary and logged forests

Diet

Solitary forager on fruits, seeds, flowers, leaf buds and invertebrates

Status

Vulnerable

Breeding

Great Argus females lay 2 eggs, which they incubate for 24-25 days.

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The National Aviary is home to more than 500 birds and other animals representing 150 species; some of which live in behind-the-scenes habitats. To enhance our guests’ educational experience, and with regard to individual bird preferences, different species may spend time in various public-facing habitats.

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