{{short description|Species of bird}} {{speciesbox | name = Bornean crested fireback | status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref =<ref name="IUCN">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2020 |title=''Lophura ignita'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T22727431A184560985 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22727431A184560985.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> | image = Feuerrückenfasan (Lophura ignita).jpg | image_caption = Male | image2 = Crested Fireback female.jpg | image2_caption = Female at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo | genus = Lophura | species = ignita | authority = (Shaw, 1798) | synonyms = * ''Phasianus ignitus'' <small>Shaw, 1797</small> }} The '''Bornean crested fireback''', ''Lophura ignita'', is a large, sexually dimorphic, and distinctly-coloured pheasant of the family Galliformes endemic to the rainforests of Borneo and the surrounding islands. It is a non-migrating omnivorous species, often seen in groups of 5–6 in the rainforest lowlands. As of 2020 they were classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to population decline from habitat loss and deforestation, hunting, and trapping for the cage bird trade.
== Description == The Bornean crested fireback maintains a similar body plan to most other species in Galliformes (heavy bodied ground-dwellers). Similar to other species in the genus ''Lophura'', ''L. ignita'' has strong coloration, with a dark plumage contrasting vibrant accents.
=== Juvenile === Before sex-specific coloration appears, juvenile females may be distinguished from males by their overall lighter plumage. The juveniles' plumage is like that of adult females, although they lack the crest seen on adults and have large black spots on the upper wing coverts. The adult female of related species, ''L. bulweri'', often look like juvenile ''L. ignitia'', but they can be distinguished by the black covert spots seen in ''L. igniti''a. As well, ''L. ignitia'' has dark chestnut plumage, light underside markings, and pale legs. Juveniles are often seen with adults during post-natal care periods.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Fischer |first=Johannes |date=2018-01-01 |title=The potential value of camera-trap studies for identifying, ageing, sexing and studying the phenology of Bornean Lophura pheasants |url=https://www.academia.edu/83119830/The_potential_value_of_camera_trap_studies_for_identifying_ageing_sexing_and_studying_the_phenology_of_Bornean_Lophura_pheasants |journal=Journal of Asian Ornithology |volume=33 |pages=92–102}}</ref>
==== Immature male ==== The average body length is 43 cm, the average tail length is 16 cm, and the average spur length is 3mm. Spurs are often bulbous on the base as they are still developing. Immature males' plumage resembles a dull version of the adult's at around 4–6 months of age, but they still lack the distinct crest and have smaller wattles. They have chestnut vermiculation on the mantle. Bill colour varies but is usually pale. They can be distinguished from adult males by the overall smaller dimensions, particularly smaller tail and spurs, as well as the lack of crest and reduced wattles. However, distinguishing may not always be easy.<ref name=":0" />
=== Adult ===
==== Male ==== Average body length is 61 cm and average tail length is 24 cm. Males have pronounced spurs around 30mm in length, often longer. The dark blue head bears a crest of upright feathers that lack barbules.<ref name=":2" /> Crest feathers average 38mm in length.<ref name=":0" /> Males have distinct and extensive bright blue facial wattles.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Kirwan |first=Guy M. |last2=del Hoyo |first2=Josep |last3=McGowan |first3=Philip J. K. |last4=Collar |first4=Nigel |last5=Christie |first5=David |last6=Boesman |first6=Peter F. D. |date=2022 |title=Bornean Crested Fireback (Lophura ignita), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/crefir4/cur/introduction |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.crefir4.01 |issn=2771-3105|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The upper chest and throat are dark blue, and the undersides are chestnut brown. The upper tail coverts are dark blue while the under-tail coverts are near black, as is the vent. Wing coverts have iridescent blue edges. The male's primaries are dull black to brown. The lower back is dark maroon, and the rump and top of tail are dark blue, similar to the chest. The tail elongates towards the central pair of rectrices; the two or three central pairs are ochre, while the outer five pairs are dark blue or black. Legs and feet are often off-white, sometimes gray or pale green. The bill is pale and irises red.<ref name=":0" />
==== Female ==== The average body length is 51 cm and the average tail length is 18 cm. Spurs are either absent or reduced and average 2mm. The chestnut-colour head bears a dark crest of upright feathers lacking barbules of average length 33mm. Females, too, have facial wattles, but they are darker blue as opposed to the male's vibrant blue. The throat is whitish, and the female's upper chest is dark chestnut with white streaks. The lower chest and underside are the same colour except with white borders along the feathers, leading to a scaled appearance.<ref name=":2" /> The upperside is dark chestnut, and the tail is nearly black and straight, often with lighter brown patterns on the edges of rectrices. Coverts on the bottom of the tail are dark brown, and the vent is off-white. Coverts on tail-top and wing-coverts have dark vermiculation. The legs are pale brown and the bill colour varies. Female Bornean crested firebacks have bright red irises.<ref name=":0" />
==== Differentiation by sex ==== The male's crest is a glossy dark blue, while the female's is copper or chestnut. Females' chests are chestnut with white edges appearing gradually towards the underside, while males have a bright copper chest. Males have much longer spurs than females and their tail is arching and blue/ochre, while the female's is straight and darker than her body. As well, males have a longer tail, on average 40% of their body length, while female's tails are usually 36% of their body length.<ref name=":0" /> The females smaller stature and cryptic colour allows them to raise chicks more inconspicuously.<ref name=":4"/>
== Taxonomy == The Bornean crested fireback, ''Lophura ignita'', is part of the genus ''Lophura'', commonly called gallopheasants, which contains 11 species including ''L. ignita''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pheasants, partridges, francolins – IOC World Bird List |url=https://www.worldbirdnames.org/new/bow/pheasants/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=www.worldbirdnames.org}}</ref> It is part of the family Phasianidae which includes turkeys, grouse, partridge, Old World quail, francolins, and pheasants. There are over 50 genera in this family,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phasianidae (turkeys, grouse, pheasants, and partridges) {{!}} INFORMATION {{!}} Animal Diversity Web |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Phasianidae/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=animaldiversity.org}}</ref> which is part of the order Galliformes, an extensive group of heavy-bodied birds. There are around 290 species in Galliformes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Galliform {{!}} Pheasants, Quails & Turkeys {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/galliform |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
The Bornean crested fireback was previously placed in genus ''Euplocomus'', but the genetic ties between ''Lophura'' species are close enough for them to be placed in a single genus. Previously, ''L. ignita'' was grouped with the Malayan Crested Fireback ''L. rufa'', its sister species, under the united name 'Crested Fireback. Both were called ''Lophura ignita''. The two can be distinguished visually, with the Malayan counterpart having a dark blue underside with white stripes and the Bornean species being chestnut-chested and without stripes. And, the females of the Malayan and Bornean species have chestnut vs blackish tails, respectively.<ref name=":2" />
There are two generally recognized subspecies of ''Lophura ignita'', although more studies are needed. ''Lophura ignita ignita'', or the lesser Bornean crested fireback, occurs in southern Borneo and Bangka Island, southeast of Sumatra. It is distinguished from the second subspecies, ''Lophura ignita nobilis'', the greater Bornean crested fireback, by its slightly smaller size. ''L. i. nobilis'' can be found in northern Borneo. The range boundary between the two subspecies is unclear.<ref name=":2" />
A now negated subspecies, ''Lophura ignita macartneyi'' was long considered a third subspecies. This taxon is found in southeastern Sumatra with variable features similar to that of ''Lophura ignita. '' However, reviews of specimen material have revealed that the supposed subspecies is instead likely a hybrid between the Bornean crested fireback and Malayan crested fireback, ''Lophura rufa''. The hybrids does not present discrete phenotypes, indicating they are not a distinct species. How the Bornean and Malayan species came together in Sumatra is unclear but may have been through human movement of ''L. ignita'' or through use of land bridges during low sea level ages.<ref name=":2" />
=== Speciation === Genus ''Lophura'' had rapid speciation events early in its history, and most genetic divergence between species is due to substitutions within the clade. Speciation within the genus could have occurred allopatrically or through ecological partitioning between lowlands and highlands. Mitochondrial DNA studies support the claim that ''Lophura'' is a monophyletic clade, with genuses ''Crossoptilon'' and ''Phasianus'' the closest related sister taxa.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Randi |first=Ettore |last2=Lucchini |first2=Vittorio |last3=Hennache |first3=Alain |last4=Kimball |first4=Rebecca T |last5=Braun |first5=Edward L |last6=Ligon |first6=J. David |date=2001-05-01 |title=Evolution of the Mitochondrial DNA Control Region and Cytochrome b Genes and the Inference of Phylogenetic Relationships in the Avian Genus Lophura (Galliformes) |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790301909224 |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=187–201 |doi=10.1006/mpev.2001.0922 |issn=1055-7903|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
Related species ''L. diardi'' separated from ''L. ignita'' through geographic isolation. They have a 4.4% sequence divergence, and so likely split around 2.2 million years ago. Allopatric speciation of this genus likely occurred across South East Asia. Nearby areas, including the isolated rainforests on Indonesian islands, were then colonized independently through the use of land-bridges.<ref name=":1" />
== Distribution and habitat ==
=== Distribution === The species is endemic to Borneo and present throughout much of the lowlands, including regions of Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak), Brunei, and Indonesia (Kalimantan), and Bangka Island in southeastern Sumatra. It is a non-migrating species and maintains a consistent distribution year-round.<ref name=":2" />
=== Habitat === Ideal habitat for this species is lowland forest and rainforest undergrowth, although they have been spotted in logged forest in Sabah and western Sarawak as well, indicating they have some tolerance for forest degradation. They are usually found at relatively high elevations, from 600m elevation recorded in Sabah to 1300m in Borneo, although their exact range is contested and unclear. They are distributed higher than related species ''Lophura pyronata'', the Bornean crestless fireback.<ref name=":2"/>
Larger forests patches that are interconnected with other areas of the forest can support larger groups of ''L. ignita'' and a greater diversity of Galliformes species. Forest patches less than 4400 ha are almost always deprived of Galliformes, indicating these species require larger area for survival. Unfortunately, significant portions of their range are subject to human encroachment and illegal logging.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Winarni |first=Nurul L. |date=2004 |title=Effects of forest patch size on Galliformes in southern Sumatra, Indonesia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322592755_Effects_of_forest_patch_size_on_Galliformes_in_southern_Sumatra_Indonesia |journal=International Galliformes Symposium}}</ref>
== Behaviour == The species tends to be wary and live in mixed-sex groups of 5–6 individuals. They can become habituated to humans if exposed for prolonged periods.<ref name=":2" />
=== Vocalizations === Bornean crested firebacks have extensive vocalizations. Cornell Lab<ref name=":2" /> identified the following divisions:
'''Squeal''': "Loud squeals or piping whistles" with variable, but usually shrill, notes. These calls are exclusive to males during intrasexual conflict or other aggressive activity and usually lasts for 0.6–1.0 seconds.<ref name=":2" />
'''Squirrel call''': A snapping note similar to that of the squirrel. It consists of a low-pitched sound followed by a downslurred call, like "guh-CHIK!". The call is repeated at a rate of 2–4 calls/second, with a call duration of 0.1 seconds. The downslurred note drops in frequency from 7 kHz to 1 kHz. This call likely acts as an alarm signal.<ref name=":2" />
'''Mellow notes''': These calls vary and often only heard at close range. They are all below 600 Hz.<ref name=":2" />
'''Grunts''': These often occur in tandem with mellow notes, and are characterized as "short faint growls, grunts, barks, or clucks". Along with mellow notes, this call is used to maintain contact over short distances.<ref name=":2" />
'''Cackle''': Males may release soft and rhythmic cackles during their wing-whirring courtshit ritual.<ref name=":2" />
The impact of environment or life stage on vocalizations is understudied, but most vocalizations can likely be heard year round. Cackles and other calls associated with courtship may be more common during breeding season. Calls are more likely in early morning and late afternoon. Both sexes utter all vocal calls, except for cackles and squeals which are male-specific.<ref name=":2" />
=== Diet === Bornean crested firebacks are omnivorous ground foragers. Their diet is mainly supplied by plant matter including seeds and fruit and supplemented by insects or other invertebrates and, when opportune, small mammals (ex. mice).<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Crested Fireback Pheasant |url=https://lazoo.org/explore-your-zoo/our-animals/birds/crested-fireback-pheasant/ |access-date=2025-11-07 |website=Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens |language=en-US}}</ref>
Analysis of their habitat recorded 13 families of vegetation, from which 23 species may contribute to their diet. The families are Annonaceae, Clusiaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Ebenaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lauraceae, Lecythidaceae, Moraceae, Myristicaceae, Myrtaceae, Sapindaceae, and Theaceae.<ref name=":4"/>
=== Reproduction === Bornean crested fireback males perform wing-whirring courtship rituals. These signal the males presence to females and announces the male's territory. Males whir their wings at 12 beats per 1.2 seconds, producing a low-pitched rumble that can penetrate the undergrowth. The male may also cackle or squeal.<ref name=":2" /> They are territorial and noted to use the spurs on their feet to compete with other males.<ref name=":4"/>
The reproductive behaviour of this species in the wild is understudied. It appears that their breeding period may not be controlled by season or is elongated compared to average. Egg-layings have been reported in Sabah in July and August while reports from West Kalimantan are in February and March. Moult patterns and visual observations tentatively suggest a breeding season from February to August.<ref name=":2" />
Nests have been found between the roots of trees, but are usually shallow crevices lined with feathers, dead leaves, grass, or bamboo. Eggs are gray or cream (sometimes with brown spots), oval, and approximately 51.3 x 37.4mm in dimension. Very few nests have been found in the wild, but clutch size is estimated to be around 6.<ref name=":2" />
The incubation period of the Bornean crested fireback is unknown, but captive ''L. rufa'' incubated for 24 days. Chicks are precocial upon hatching. They have dark brown down on their upperside and are white or reddish below, with a reddish crown. Chicks are cared for only by the female, as is common in pheasants.<ref name=":2" />
== Conservation == As of 2020, the IUCN designated the Bornean crested rireback as Vulnerable. The population has continued to decrease due to habitat loss, hunting, and trapping. Lowland specialists, like ''L. ignita'', are particularly threatened by habitat loss due to logging and deforestation. Deforestation in the area has not slowed for decades and encroaches on the birds' range. According to the IUCN, it is suspected the species is "undergoing a rapid population reduction".<ref>{{Cite journal |last=BirdLife International (BirdLife International) |date=2020-09-07 |title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Lophura ignita |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22727431/184560985 |journal=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516015329/https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22727431/184560985 |archive-date=2025-05-16}}</ref>
These forest pheasants are also at risk of hunting and trapping for the cage bird trade. Their populations can rapidly reduce if accessible to trappers, and unfortunately they are accessible across most of their range.<ref name=":4" />
== References == {{Reflist | 30em}}
== External links == * [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=259&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007070042/http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=259&m=0 |date=2006-10-07 }} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080308133205/http://www.gbwf.org/pheasants/fireback_crested.html gbwf.org – Crested Fireback] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070311005730/http://www.rdb.or.id/detailbird.php?id=344&sortby=latinname Red Data Book]
{{Phasianidae}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q840313}}
crested fireback Category:Birds of Borneo crested fireback