Photo: George Edward Lodge / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Malayan Crested Argus
Rheinardia nigrescens
Malayan Crested Argus (Rheinardia nigrescens) — Gamebirds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Malayan Crested Argus (Rheinardia nigrescens) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 1.5 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Rheinardia
- Species nigrescens
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.5 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Critically Endangered
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Malayan Crested Argus is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Malayan Crested Argus is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Malayan Crested Argus (Rheinardia nigrescens) is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family, part of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR c Malay Pen.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.5 kg, with a wing length of about 33.6 cm and a tail of around 81.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Malayan Crested Argus?
The Malayan Crested Argus is a very large bird that weighs around 1.5 kg.
Where does the Malayan Crested Argus live?
The Malayan Crested Argus is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR c Malay Pen, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Malayan Crested Argus belong to?
The Malayan Crested Argus (Rheinardia nigrescens) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Malayan Crested Argus eat?
The Malayan Crested Argus is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Malayan Crested Argus migrate?
The Malayan Crested Argus is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Malayan Crested Argus endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
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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