Swinhoe's Pheasant
Scientific Classification
Glossy black with a metallic blue sheen over the body feathers, the male Swinhoe’s pheasant is easy to identify. Red facial wattles and legs plus a distinct white crest, white back patch and white central tail feathers add contrast to the striking plumage. Female Swinhoe’s pheasants are slightly smaller, have smaller red facial wattles, red legs, and cream and brown mottled feathers with distinct bars on the wings and tail.
A protected species in its native habitat in the mountains of Taiwan, the Swinhoe’s pheasant is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Swinhoe's Pheasants favour high altitude, broadleaf forests.
Omnivores, Swinhoe’s pheasants forage for fruits, seeds and plants material, as well as insects and worms.
The female builds a nest in a safe, hidden place on the ground or in a tree, and incubates 3 to 8 eggs for 25 days, all by herself. The chicks will remain with her for the rest of the breeding season. Mating season lasts from March to July.
Female Swinhoe's Pheasants are very well camouflaged so that they blend in with the ground, especially when incubating their eggs. They prefer to run than to fly and so their legs are a lot stronger than other birds. They are shy and fearful birds and are most active at dawn and dusk (crepuscular).
