A rare sighting of the vividly coloured Himalayan monal has captivated wildlife enthusiasts after a male bird was photographed soaring over Bhutan’s mountain valleys, displaying its dazzling, multi-hued plumage in full sunlight.
Often described as the “jewel of the Himalayas,” the high-altitude pheasant shimmered mid-flight with flashes of blue, green, purple, copper, gold and orange colours that appeared to shift as it moved through the air.
Experts confirm that the Himalayan monal’s dramatic appearance is entirely natural. The bird’s iridescent glow is produced not by pigmentation alone, but by microscopic structures within its feathers that refract and bend light. This structural coloration creates metallic tones that change depending on the viewing angle.
Emerald greens can quickly transition to deep violet or cobalt blue as the bird turns, giving the impression of a living prism against the Himalayan sky.
The Himalayan monal inhabits alpine meadows and forested slopes across Bhutan, Nepal, northern India and parts of Tibet, typically at elevations above 4,500 metres. Though primarily ground-dwelling, the species is capable of short, powerful flights to navigate steep terrain or evade predators.
The recent sighting occurred over Bhutan’s rugged valleys, where the male was briefly airborne, allowing photographers to capture the full brilliance of its plumage.
Beyond its visual appeal, the Himalayan monal holds cultural importance in the region. It is the national bird of Nepal and is regarded as a symbol of Himalayan biodiversity.
Wildlife observers have welcomed the sighting as a reminder of the extraordinary natural beauty of high-altitude ecosystems. Conservationists note that preserving alpine habitats is essential to safeguarding such species, whose survival depends on fragile mountain environments.
The images have sparked widespread admiration online, with many viewers comparing the bird to a “flying jewel” a fitting description for one of the Himalayas’ most radiant residents.