The Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus
impejanus ) also known as the Impeyan
Monal , Impeyan Pheasant, and Danphe,
is a bird in the pheasant family,
Phasianidae . It is the national bird of Nepal ,
where it is known as Danphe and state bird
of Uttarakhand, where it is known as
Monal .
Traditionally, the Himalayan Monal has been
classified as monophyletic . However, studies
have shown that the male Himalayan Monal
of northwestern India lacks the white rump
of other Himalayan Monals, and it has more
green on the breast, indicating the
possibility of a second subspecies.[2]
The scientific name commemorates Lady
Mary Impey, the wife of the British chief
justice of Bengal , Sir Elijah Impey .