Photo: Peter Gordon from Vancouver, Canada / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Great Argus
Argusianus argus
Great Argus (Argusianus argus) — Gamebirds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Great Argus (Argusianus argus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Argusianus
- Species argus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2 kg
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Critically Endangered
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Great Argus is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Great Argus is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Great Argus (Argusianus argus) is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family, part of the order Galliformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Malay Pen., Sumatra and Borneo.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2 kg, with a wing length of about 38.4 cm and a tail of around 71.6 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.4 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Great Argus?
The Great Argus is a very large bird that weighs around 2 kg.
Where does the Great Argus live?
The Great Argus is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Malay Pen., Sumatra and Borneo, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Great Argus belong to?
The Great Argus (Argusianus argus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Great Argus eat?
The Great Argus is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Great Argus migrate?
The Great Argus is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Great Argus endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
How large is the Great Argus's range?
The Great Argus has a mapped global range of about 1.4 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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