Come nightfall and Kalij Pheasants in our forest ascend to upper branches of oak trees to roost

At dusk, Kalij pheasants in the western Himalaya's oak and rhododendron forests climb to the upper branches of oak trees to roost for the night. While perched, they forage among lichens, mosses, buds, and grass seeds, making trilling clicking sounds and displaying their bright white crests and fleshy red eye patches. The drab brown females and the blue‑black males, with their striking headgear, are seen at the Wildfilms India sanctuary in Pari Tibba Estate, Mussoorie, as they navigate the understory during daylight and seek safety in the canopy after dark.