Lifespan20 years
Quick facts
DietFruits, invertebrates & leaves
HabitatForests
RangeNative to the jungles of Borneo, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula in southeast Asia
The Great Argus
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Flamboyant Feathers
Great Argus are amongst the largest pheasants, related to the peafowls. Males have long twin tail feathers, which grow to a whopping 1.5 m in length, while their flamboyant wing feathers boast many eyespots.
This species is aptly named after Argus, the hundred-eyed giant in Greek mythology.
Courtship Dance
Great Argus lives a solitary life, only coming together to mate. Famous for his courtship dance during the mating season, the male first clears an open patch on the forest floor.
He then issues a booming ‘kow-wow’ call that can be heard kilometres away to attract a female. For her eyes only, he fans out his spectacular wing and tail feathers, and prances around her to win her attention.
