Chrysolophus pictus
The Golden Pheasant is a strikingly colourful bird, particularly the male. Males display a golden-yellow crest, bright red body, and long, barred tail. Their wings showcase vibrant blue patches, while the back and rump are metallic green. The eyes are a very pale yellow to white.
Females are much more subdued, with mottled brown plumage and black barring, which provides excellent camouflage. Juveniles resemble females but have shorter tails. Both adult females and juveniles have brown eyes compared to the male’s pale irides.
Length
90cm to 105cm
Wingspan
65cm to 75cm
Weight
500g to 1.7kg
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Native to the mountainous forests of central and southern China, Golden Pheasants prefer dense undergrowth in deciduous and mixed woodlands. They thrive in areas with bamboo thickets and dense vegetation cover.
Introduced populations exist in several countries, including the UK, where they are found in scattered woodland areas, particularly in southern and eastern England, located mainly within the pine forests of Suffolk and Norfolk in the east of England. They are also present in small numbers in parts of North America and continental Europe.
Up to 2,000 meters
Temperate, Subtropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Golden Pheasant. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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