Key Takeaways
| Fact | Description |
| Scientific Name | Argusianus argus |
| Common Name | Great Argus |
| Appearance | Brown-plumaged pheasant with a blue head and neck, rufous red upper breast, black hair-like feathers on the crown and nape, and red legs |
| Weight | Between 1.59 to 2.72 kg (3.5 to 6 pounds) |
| Length | Between 72 to 200 cm (28 to 79 in) |
| Habitat | Native to the jungles of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. |
| Conservation Status | Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List |
Introduction to the Great Argus
Great Argus, also known as Phoenix in some parts of Asia, is a big type of bird called a pheasant that comes from Southeast Asia. This bird is famous for its beautiful plumage and courtship behavior. This bird is not to be confused with the two species of closely related crested argus, genus Rheinardia.
Appearance and Size
The great argus is a brown-plumaged pheasant with a blue head and neck, rufous red upper breast, black hair-like feathers on the crown and nape, and red legs.
The male Great Argus is one of the biggest pheasants out there. It measures between 160 and 200 cm (or 63 to 79 in) in total length. That includes a tail that’s between 105 and 143 cm (or 41 to 56 in) long. It weighs between 2.04 and 2.72 kg (or 4.5 to 6 pounds). The males have really long tail feathers and big, broad and greatly elongated secondary wing feathers decorated with large eyespots. Males get their adult plumage when they are 3 years old.
The female Great Argus are smaller and more dull compare to the male. It has shorter tails and fewer eyespots and measure between 72 and 76 cm (or 28 to 30 in) in total length, including a tail that’s between 30 and 36 cm (or 12 to 14 in) long. It weigh between 1.59 and 1.7 kg (or 3.5 to 3.7 pounds).
Habitat and distribution
It is native to the jungles of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia.
Interesting Facts about the Great Argus
Reproduction
Even though the Great Argus shows off like birds that have many partners, it turns out that they actually only have one partner at a time. This means they’re monogamous, not polygamous. The female Great Argus usually lays just two eggs.
Courtship Display
The male Great Argus has a special way of impressing the female. First, the male clears an open spot in the forest and turns it into a dance floor. Then, he calls out loudly to attract female and dance before her.
He spreads his wings out into two enormous fans, showing off hundreds of “eyes”. But here’s the cool part: while he’s doing this, his real eyes are hidden behind his wings, and he’s actually watching her!
Diet
The Great Argus feeds on the forest floor. It usually eats in the early morning and again in the evening.
Conservation Status
The Great Argus is facing some challenges. Its habitat is getting smaller because of habitat loss, and in some places, people are hunting it. Because of these threats, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or IUCN, has listed the Great Argus as Vulnerable. This means it’s at risk of becoming endangered.
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