Golden Pheasant
The Golden Pheasant is also known as the Golden Pheasant of China.
It is native to the forests of the mountainous regions of western China.
However, wild populations of the golden pheasant have been established in Canada, Bolivia, and Chile.
In England, the Golden Pheasant can be seen foraging in dense forests.
The Golden Pheasant is popular because of its beautiful appearance and high ornamental value.
Adult males of the Golden Pheasant are 90-105 cm long, with a tail that makes up two-thirds of their total length, and a golden head and rump that become distinctive features.
The crimson wings can be displayed open like a cape, and the Golden Pheasant has bright yellow eyes and one black pupil.
Golden Pheasant males have a golden crown with a hint of red at the tip.
The face, throat, chin, and sides of the neck are brown.
The skin of the eyes is yellow, the upper back is green, and the rest of the body is golden yellow.
Other features of the male plumage are the presence of a central tail feather, usually black with cinnamon spots, and upper tail coverts of the same color as the central tail feather.
Only the lower legs and feet are dull yellow.
Overall the Golden Pheasant male is a very beautiful and colorful bird.
Because of their prominent coloration, it is hard not to see a Golden Pheasant in a verdant forest.
Females, on the other hand, are less showy and have dull brown mottled plumage similar to that of the common pheasant.
Females also have shorter tails and a bland, light yellow belly. The lower legs and claws are a dull yellow.
Golden pheasants feed on grains, leaves, and invertebrates on the ground, but they roost in trees at night.
In spring, golden pheasants tend to forage in human settlements near the edge of the forest, mainly on wheat leaves and seeds.
Although they can fly for short periods, they prefer to run and spend most of their time on the ground.
If frightened, they will suddenly burst upwards at great speed and make a distinctive sound.
Golden pheasants lay 8 to 12 eggs at a time and then incubate these eggs for about 22 to 23 days.
They tend to eat berries, larvae, seeds, and other types of food.
The males make a metallic call during the breeding season.
The golden pheasant has been able to breed in captivity, usually in zoos and aviaries, by humans who crossbreed pheasants in general.
Hence the name Chinese pheasant as well.
The Golden Pheasant has introduced to the world about 100 years ago, but little is known about their behavior in the wild.
Although the males are colorful birds, the best time to observe golden pheasants is only easily seen in the early morning.
This is because they may appear underground in search of food.
The golden pheasant is not only good-looking but also has high nutritional value.
Pheasant meat has much higher calcium, phosphorus, and iron content than normal, and is rich in protein and amino acids.
They are good therapeutic tonics for people with anemia and weak constitution.
The golden pheasant is a famous product among the wild game.