Lady Amherst's Pheasant

Chrysolophus amherstiae

This spectacular pheasant, with its kaleidoscope of colors and extravagant plumage, ranks among the world's most visually striking birds.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The male Lady Amherst's Pheasant is a striking bird with vibrant, multicoloured plumage. It features a green crown, red crest, white and black cape, blue-green back, and a long, barred tail. The breast is metallic green with a red belly.

Females are much less colourful, with mottled brown plumage and dark barring. They lack the elaborate tail and crest of the males. Juveniles resemble females but with less defined markings.

Size

Length

100cm to 120cm

Wingspan

65cm to 70cm

Weight

600g to 800g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Red Green Blue

Secondary Colour

White Black Gold

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown

Secondary Colour (Female)

Buff

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Lady Amherst's Pheasant is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Native to the mountainous regions of southwest China and northern Myanmar, Lady Amherst's Pheasants inhabit temperate and subtropical forests. They prefer areas with dense undergrowth and bamboo thickets.

In the UK, a small feral population existed in Bedfordshire until the early 21st century but is now believed to be extinct. They are occasionally kept in aviaries and zoos worldwide.

Elevation Range

2,100 to 3,600 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Lady Amherst's 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