You must have heard everything about the elephant, Thailand’s national animal. It is time to know the fascinating facts about Siamese Fireback.

We all have heard about the importance of the elephant for Thai people and even the legend associated with the mythical white elephant, which symbolizes royalty in Thailand. But do you know what is the name of the national bird of Thailand? It is Siamese Fireback. This 80 cm long pheasant is a symbol of pride, purity, and strength for Thai people all across the world. The bird is also very well-known for its remarkable beauty. Do you want to know more? So, let us dive in and know some fascinating facts about Siamese Fireback.

It is known by various names.

This pheasant is known by various names. One of them is Siamese Fireback. Its scientific name is known as Lophuradiardi. One of its names Diard’sFireback, has a very interesting backstory. Diard was a naturalist from France who is credited to observe many species of animals in southeast Asia. To commemorate his work in the field of Zoology, this species was called Diard’sFireback.

Its scientific name was decided by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Another interesting piece of trivia about this bird is that its scientific name was decided by none other than the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, Charles Lucien Bonaparte. He was a very well-known ornithologist and named the bird after fellow French naturalist Diardi.

It is found all over the world.

Even though it is the national bird of Thailand, it is found in different parts of the world. Siamese Fireback is found in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and even parts of China and Australia.

Why are they called Fireback?

The male Fireback is prettier than their female counterpart. The male has a bright yellow spot in the middle of their back which is vibrant and stands out most in their body. And that is the reason why they are called “Fireback”.

It became an endangered species in the past.

Due to the rampant encroachment and hunting, this magnificent bird was in danger of being endangered. A lot of work was done to eradicate hunting in their habitat, and thankfully, the population of this bird is slowly coming back to normal.

They are being preserved in different parts of the world.

Countries such as Australia, Scotland are working hard to preserve Siamese Fireback. Even in the countries like Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, many national parks work to protect their natural habitat, thus helping them thrive.

So, have you ever seen a Siamese Fireback?