monal

Monal is a term with more than one notable meaning, including a bird species and a software application.

The Himalayan monal, often simply called the monal, is a large pheasant in the genus Lophophorus (Lophophorus impejanus). It is native to the Himalayas, with populations in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and parts of China. Males have striking iridescent plumage in greens, blues, and copper, along with a prominent crest, while females are brown and cryptically colored. The bird favors forested slopes, clearings, and alpine meadows at elevations roughly 2,000 to 4,000 meters. Its diet comprises seeds, berries, leaves, roots, and invertebrates. The Himalayan monal is a ground-dwelling species known for its elusive behavior and, in some cultures, its striking courtship displays. It holds cultural significance in the region and is the national bird of Nepal, where it is known as the Danphe. Habitat loss and hunting have impacted local populations, though the species remains widespread within its range.

Monal also refers to Monal IM, an open-source instant messaging client for the XMPP (Jabber) network. Available for iOS and macOS, Monal supports multiple accounts, text messaging, file transfer, and voice and video calls. Many builds include end-to-end encryption through the OMEMO protocol, enhancing privacy. The project emphasizes interoperability with other XMPP servers and clients and is maintained by volunteer developers under an open-source license.