Golden Pheasant - Facts, Information and Pictures | Popular Bird | by Pets Planet..

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Galliformes

Family: Phasianidae

Genus: Chrysolophus

Species: C. Pictus

Binomial name: Chrysolophus pictus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Introduction

The Golden Pheasant is a brightly coloured bird from central China. Some feral populations are established in UK. This species is common in captivity, but they are often impure specimens, result of hybridization with the Lady Amherst’s Pheasant. Several mutations of the Golden Pheasant are seen in captivity, with different plumage pattern and colours. The wild type is known as “Red Golden”.

The wild Golden Pheasant is living in the mountains of Central China, and often occurs in dense forests. This shy bird usually hides in dense forested areas. This behaviour could be a kind of natural protection of their bright-coloured plumage. Actually, these bright colours could be susceptible to become paler if exposed to sun for long hours during the day. The Golden Pheasant is a very popular species.

Characteristics

Male and female Golden Pheasants look different in appearance. Males measure 90 – 105 centimetres in length with the tail making up two thirds of the total length. Females are slightly smaller measuring 60 – 80 centimetres in length with the tail making up half of the total length. Their wingspan is around 70 centimetres and they weigh around 630 grams.

Male Golden Pheasants can be easily identified by their bright colouring. They have a golden crest tipped with red which extends from the top of their heads, down their necks. They have bright red underparts, dark coloured wings and a pale brown, long, barred tail. Their rumps are also golden, upper backs are green and they have bright yellow eyes with a small black pupil. Their face, throat and chin are a rust colour and their wattles and orbital skin are yellow. Beak, legs and feet are also yellow.

Female Golden Pheasants are less colourful and more duller than males. They have a mottled brown plumage, pale brown face, throat, breast and sides, pale yellow feet and are more slender in appearance.

Habitat

Their natural habitats are dark young conifer forests with sparse undergrowth.

They feed on the ground on grain, leaves and invertebrates (= animals without internal skeleton, such as insects, larvae, earthworms, millipedes, snails, spiders), but roost in trees at night. Whilst they can fly, they prefer to run: but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive wing sound.

Although they can fly in short bursts they are quite clumsy in flight and spend most of their time on the ground.

Lifespan

5 – 6 years

15 – 20 years under human care

Breeding

The 5—12 chicks can feed themselves upon hatching.

The golden pheasant has a colorful courtship display that rivals even the famous birds of paradise. The performance is heightened by squeaks, clicks and whistles from the male, culminating in a snakelike hiss as he flicks up his golden cape and spreads his tail in the air Most males pair with only one female, but the most successful performers acquire harems of up to eight hens. The female, whose nest is a simple scrape, is a devoted mother Even though her nest is well hidden, she sits continuously for more than three weeks, surviving on raindrops and dew. Once hatched, her chicks follow her from the nest. In two weeks they can flutter up to roost in trees.

Diet

Golden Pheasants mainly feed on the ground on grain, invertebrates, berries, grubs and seeds as well as other kinds of vegetation.

Behaviour in the Wild

The Golden Pheasant feeds primarily on plant materials such as berries, seeds, leaves and tender shoots of shrubs and bamboos, and rhododendron flowers. But it may take spiders and various insects too.

During the day, it forages on the ground by walking slowly and pecking. It usually feeds in the early morning and the late afternoon, but it may move all day round. At night, it reaches a nightime roost in very high trees.

During the breeding season, the male displays and enhances its superb plumage by posturing and strutting, and performing various movements in front of the female. During these displays, it spreads his neck feathers (ruff) over head and bill, like a cape.

Fun Facts

•  In China people think of Golden Pheasant as a sign of good luck, best fate and prosperity.
• Although they can fly in short bursts, they are quite clumsy in flight and spend most of their time on the ground.

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