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Malay Great Argus

The fluid call of this most solitary of pheasants can be heard up to a mile away, cutting through the dense lowland hill forest of Malaysia. Calling for any area females to come visit his dancing ground, an area in the forest that he keeps maticulusly cleared of any leaves or sticks, he is ready to go into full display the moment she might wander in. An escape tunnel is at the ready in case of danger.

Tying with Great Argus Pheasant Feathers

The large appearance of this bird belies its body size. Wings and tail feathers are often over three feet long. Revered by salmon fly tiers for a long time because the fibers stay married together with other materials the Argus has always been a strong presence in the tier’s arsenal.

There are numerous feathers that can be used for wings on salmon or steelhead flies. The eyed secondary wing feathers are the most often used but any feather with long enough fibers can be used. Also, the “snowflake” feathers, those with white spots, can make great wings.

Creative tiers will find many other uses for body feathers for throats and hackles and the back/rump feathers that have dark brown spots on a tan field make great cheeks, sides and tails. Crafters will also find many creative uses for these feathers.

  • feather assortments
  • feathers-male
  • feathers-female
  • fly patterns
  • links to other pheasants

 

Click on either image below for a larger window to open. There you will find each pair of feathers labeled and a detailed list of the feathers inluded in the full assortments.

 

Feather Assortments - Male

Here are some feathers from a breeding male. I've put together a few different assortments to choose from. Please contact me if you have something you're looking for.

Click the image for a larger view.

 

 

rump feathers- $/pair

wing slips - $/pair

tail slips - $/pair

 

50 feather assortment - $/set

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feather Assortments - Female

And here is an assortment from the female. The feathers certainly are not as striking as the males, however, the subtle shading of tans and browns make them quite attractive.

Click the image for a larger view.

 

 

body feathers- $/12 pack

wing quills - $/pair

tail feathers - $/pair

 

50 feather assortment - $/set

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* I'm working on getting some pairs matched and photographed and will have them up soon.

 

Primary Wing Quills

Oddly enough, these feathers almost look like a trout. During the males display, the tips on these feathers are rubbed along the ground as the male moves ever closer to the female.

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

small medium large

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Secondary Wing Quills

Often mistaken as a tail feather because of their length, these beautifully marked feathers are actually found on the wing. And even though it would seem to make flying difficult, Argus are strong fliers.

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pair 1 pair 2 pair 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Side Tail Quills

Also known as side paddles, these feathers have a snow flake pattern that has a darker than on the center tails. These feathers are wide and the fibers, even though they are stiff, still marry well.

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pair 1 pair 2 pair 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Center Tail Feathers

A male has 7 pair of tail feathers, but only the center pair are long enough to extend beyond the wings. These feathers also have a slightly different color pattern than the side tails.

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pair 1 pair 2 pair 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* I'm working on getting some pairs matched and photographed and will have them up soon.

 

Primary Wing Quills

Oddly enough, these feathers almost look like a trout. During the males display, the tips on these feathers are rubbed along the ground as the male moves ever closer to the female.

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pair 1 pair 2 pair 3

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Secondary Wing Quills

Often mistaken as a tail feather because of their length, these beautifully marked feathers are actually found on the wing. And even though it would seem to make flying difficult, Argus are strong fliers.

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pair 1 pair 2 pair 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Side Tail Quills

Also known as side paddles, these feathers have a snow flake pattern that has a darker than on the center tails. These feathers are wide and the fibers, even though they are still, marry well.

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pair 1 pair 2 pair 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Center Tail Feathers

A male has 7 pair of tail feathers, but only the center pair are long enough to extend beyond the wings. These feathers also have a slightly different color pattern than the side tails.

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pair 1 pair 2 pair 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm looking for pictures of flies and the recipies you used to tie them. Please give me a call or email me for more information.

Thanks!

 

 

<malayan peacock pheasant>Pheasants

All pheasants are native to Asia. There are 52 different breeds of these beautiful birds, 17 of which are listed as endangered.

Habitat destruction and hunting has reduced the number of these birds in the wild. The Hainan Peacock Pheasant, thought to be a subspecies of the grey, is one of these and is one of the most endangered birds in all of China. Today it is at greater risk of extinction than even the Giant Panda.

None listed here are in such danger - but with habitat destruction and population growth, it's just a matter of time.

Breeds:

Tragopans, Monals & Koklass
 
  • Koklass
 
Gallopheasants
 
  • Bornean Firebacks
  • Malayan Firebacks
  • Siamese Fireback
 
Long-tailed & True Pheasants
 
  • Designer Ringnecks
 
Ruffed & Eared Pheasants
     
Peacock Pheasants
   
Cross-breeds
  Silver x Reeves    


Quick links to:

pheasants
partridge
grouse

quail
junglefowl
peafowl

guineafowl
turkey
bustards

cranes
waterfowl
hookbills

softbills
pigeons and doves
ratites

 

 


Jock Scott

Argus Hen

Pencil sketch by

Louis A. Fuertes


Courtship Display

 

Feathers







Argus Male

Males Lower Back

Males perch high in the trees and call through the night.

Tail Coverts

Preening

Primary Wing Quills

Notice the freyed edges from displaying.



Shoulder Feathers - Male