Golden Pheasant
Chrysolophus pictus
Visual Identification
Appearance
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.
Size
Length
90cm to 105cm
Wingspan
65cm to 75cm
Weight
500g to 1.7kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
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.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
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:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Golden Pheasants display impressive agility, particularly in their ability to fly vertically into trees when startled. Their preference for dense undergrowth also suggests adept manoeuvrability through complex environments.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
While not exceptionally strong, Golden Pheasants possess moderate strength for their size. Their ability to scratch the forest floor for food and the males' capacity to perform elaborate courtship displays indicate a reasonable level of physical prowess.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These birds demonstrate good adaptability, thriving in various woodland habitats from their native China to introduced areas in the UK and elsewhere. Their omnivorous diet and ability to adjust to different elevations (up to 2000 metres) further support their adaptability.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Golden Pheasants are generally shy and elusive, preferring to flee rather than confront threats. However, males may display some aggression during breeding season, particularly in courtship rituals, warranting a moderate aggression rating.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their ability to forage extensively and remain active during specific periods of the day suggests good endurance. The fact that they prefer running to flying when disturbed also indicates a decent level of stamina, though they're not known for exceptional long-distance movements.
Diet
Golden Pheasants are omnivorous, primarily foraging on the ground. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, leaves, and insects. They use their beaks to scratch the forest floor, uncovering hidden food items. During the breeding season, they increase their intake of protein-rich insects.
Behaviour
Golden Pheasants are generally shy and elusive, preferring to run rather than fly when disturbed. They are most active during early morning and late afternoon, spending much of their time foraging on the forest floor. These birds are typically solitary or found in small groups outside the breeding season.
Vocalisation
The Golden Pheasant's call is a loud, harsh 'chack' sound, often repeated in a series. Males produce a metallic 'tink' during courtship displays. When alarmed, they may emit a sharp, high-pitched whistle. Their vocalisations are most frequent during the breeding season.
Nesting & Breeding
The breeding season for Golden Pheasants typically begins in April. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, fanning their golden cape and crimson breast feathers to attract females.
Females construct a simple nest on the ground, often hidden under dense vegetation or at the base of a tree. They lay a clutch of 5-12 eggs, which are pale buff to light brown in colour.
Incubation lasts about 22-23 days and is carried out solely by the female. The chicks are precocial, able to leave the nest and feed themselves shortly after hatching, but they remain with the mother for several weeks.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While the Golden Pheasant is listed as Least Concern globally, its native populations in China face habitat loss due to deforestation. In countries where it has been introduced, such as the UK, conservation efforts focus on managing populations to prevent competition with native species.
Birdwatching Tips
- In the wild, these hardy birds are easiest to spot during their feeding in the early morning.
- Look for Golden Pheasants in the dense undergrowth of woodlands
- Listen for their loud, harsh call, especially during breeding season
- Be patient and move quietly, as they are easily startled
- Visit managed estates or wildlife parks where they are more accustomed to human presence - aviaries and zoos are great places
- In the UK, try areas where they have been introduced, such as East Anglia or the Home Counties
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Main predators include foxes, wildcats, large birds of prey, and occasionally domestic cats in areas where they have been introduced.
Did You Know?
- Golden Pheasants can fly vertically up into trees when startled.
- Their scientific name, 'Chrysolophus pictus', means 'painted with a golden crest'.
- In China, they are sometimes called 'flower pheasants' due to their vibrant colours.
- Their long tails and relatively short wings mean that they are not renowned for their flying capabilities and prefer running away from trouble instead of taking to the wing.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Chrysolophus pictus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22679355A131874282.
View source - 2 3
report, 1994: del Hoyo et al.
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