Crested Fireback Lophura ignita

The Crested Fireback is a pheasant native to Malaysia, Thailand, Borneo and Indonesia. The male is glossy metallic blue with a reddish brown back, a light blue face wattle and a blue crest.

Above is the Malay subspecies, also called Vieillot's Crested Fireback, Lophura ignita rufa, which has white central tail feathers, red legs and a dark underside with white stripes.

The Delacour's subspecies above, Lophura ignita macartneyi, from Sumatra, also has white central tail feathers but with white legs and reddish brown underside. The two Borneo subspecies, including the nominal Borneo Crested Fireback Lophura ignita ignita (male not shown), are similar but with light brown central tail feathers.

As with all pheasants, the females are plainer. All subspecies have brown plumage with white-edged feathers on the underside and bare blue faces. The Malay subspecies (above) is a lighter reddish brown with red legs.

The Delacours subspecies (above left) is darker, with white legs and the two Borneo subspecies (nominal Borneo above centre) are also dark, with white legs and black tails.