About Lophura ignita (Shaw, 1798)
The Bornean Crested Fireback, scientifically named Lophura ignita (Shaw, 1798), shares the typical body plan of most Galliformes species, being heavy-bodied and ground-dwelling. Like other members of the genus Lophura, L. ignita has bold coloration, with dark plumage that contrasts with bright, distinct accents. This species is endemic to Borneo, found across most of Borneo's lowlands in Sabah and Sarawak (Malaysia), Brunei, and Kalimantan (Indonesia), and also occurs on Bangka Island off southeastern Sumatra. It is non-migratory, and its distribution stays consistent year-round. The species' ideal habitat is lowland forest and rainforest undergrowth. However, individuals have also been observed in logged forest in Sabah and western Sarawak, which shows that L. ignita has some level of tolerance for forest degradation. They are typically found at relatively high elevations, ranging from 600m in Sabah to 1300m across Borneo, though the exact boundaries of their elevation range remain contested and unclear. They occupy higher elevations than their relative, Lophura pyronata, the Bornean crestless fireback. Larger, interconnected forest patches support larger populations of L. ignita as well as higher diversity of other Galliformes species. Forest patches smaller than 4400 ha almost never host any Galliformes, confirming this group of species requires large continuous areas to survive. Unfortunately, large portions of L. ignita's range are threatened by human encroachment and illegal logging. During the breeding season, male Bornean Crested Firebacks perform wing-whirring courtship rituals. These rituals signal a male's presence to females and mark his occupied territory. Males beat their wings at a rate of 12 beats per 1.2 seconds, which produces a low rumble that can travel through dense undergrowth. Males may also make cackling or squealing calls. The species is territorial, and males are recorded using the spurs on their feet to compete with other rival males. The reproductive behavior of this species in the wild is not well studied. Current evidence suggests the breeding period is either not seasonally controlled, or is longer than the average breeding period for related galliformes. Egg-laying has been recorded in July and August in Sabah, and in February and March in West Kalimantan. Observations of moult patterns and visual sightings tentatively indicate a full breeding season from February to August. Nests have been found between tree roots, and are usually shallow crevices lined with feathers, dead leaves, grass, or bamboo. Eggs are gray or cream, sometimes marked with brown spots, oval-shaped, and measure approximately 51.3 x 37.4mm. Very few wild nests have been documented, so clutch size is only estimated to be around 6 eggs. The incubation period for Bornean Crested Fireback is not known, but the closely related captive species L. rufa has an incubation period of 24 days. Hatchlings are precocial when they emerge from eggs. They have dark brown down on their upper body, white or reddish coloration on their underside, and a reddish crown. As is typical for pheasants, only the female cares for the chicks after hatching.
