The Great Argus is a large forest pheasant known for a distinctive courtship display. The bird is also known as Argusianus argus, which belongs to the family Phasianidae within the bird order Galliformes.
The Great Argus typically inhabits the lowland tropical forests of Sumatra, Borneo, and Peninsular Malaysia. The bird stays close to the forest floor and lives in areas with dense undergrowth up to an elevation of one thousand meters above sea level.
Male Great Argus birds produce a loud two-note call that carries across long distances in the forest. The vocalization sounds like a sharp ku-wow and can be heard up to a kilometer away. The loud calls travel through the trees and signal neighboring males to stay away.
In terms of physical size, an adult male Great Argus can reach two meters in total length and weigh between two and three kilograms. A pair of exceptionally long central tail feathers accounts for most of the total length.
The head and neck feature bare blue skin with a short black crest on top. The bill is pale yellow, and the legs are reddish pink.
Distinctive Plumage Patterns
The male Great Argus has wide secondary wing feathers marked with rows of circular eye-spots called ocelli.
Each spot features a dark brown outer ring that blends into a white center. Dozens of matching circles line up along the inner vane of each secondary feather.
The pattern covers the entire plumage when the male opens his wings.
Female Great Argus birds differ significantly in size and color from males. A female measures about seventy centimeters in length and has short tail feathers.
The blue skin on her head is duller than the skin on the male. Mottled brown plumage covers the body and matches the dry leaves on the ground.
Courtship Arena Performance
When courtship begins, the male Great Argus establishes an open display ground on the forest floor. The bird chooses a flat patch of dirt under the forest canopy.
The male Great Argus clears away dead leaves, twigs, fallen branches, and loose stones with his bill and feet.
The cleaned area forms a bare circle four to five meters wide. The open dirt leaves enough space for the male to move and show his plumage to the female.
When the female Great Argus walks into the cleared ring, the male spreads both wings forward and lifts them into an arch.
The arched wings hide the head of the male completely. Narrow gaps between the feather quills let him adjust his posture as the female moves around the ring. The patterned wings stay aimed straight at her throughout the dance.
The Solitary Life on the Forest
The male and female Great Argus separate as soon as mating ends. The female builds a simple nest scrape on the ground to raise the chicks alone.
Each bird lives a solitary life and returns to its own home range in the forest.
The male Great Argus defends his feeding territory by calling from small mounds of dirt. The loud calls keep rival males apart and prevent physical fights along territorial borders.
The Great Argus spends the day walking across the forest floor in search of food. The bird pushes aside dead leaves and topsoil to find fallen figs, hard seeds, ants, termites, and small beetles.
When darkness falls, the Great Argus leaves the ground and flies into lower tree branches to roost safely until morning.
