The trogopales is found in some medieval encyclopedias. It is a bird from Ethiopia, larger than an eagle, with horns like those of a ram on its head. It uses its horns to protect itself from other birds.

In modern taxonomy, Tragopan is a genus in the family Phasianidae (pheasants). It is commonly called the "horned pheasant" because males have two fleshy horns on their head, used in courtship. It is found in the Himalayas of India, Nepal and Tibet.