Golden pheasant facts for kids
The golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), also called the "Chinese pheasant", is a beautiful bird. It belongs to a group of birds called gamebirds. These birds are known for their bright colors and are often hunted for sport. The golden pheasant is originally from the forests in the mountains of western China. But you can also find wild groups of them in the United Kingdom and other places now.
Quick facts for kids Golden pheasant |
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| Male golden pheasant | |
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Phasianinae
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Chrysolophus
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| Chrysolophus pictus (Linnaeus, 1758)
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Contents
Where Golden Pheasants Live
Golden pheasants are from the mountain forests of western China. But they have also been introduced to other countries. You can now find wild groups of them in the United Kingdom. They also live in places like Canada, the United States, and Australia.
What Golden Pheasants Look Like
Male Golden Pheasants
Adult male golden pheasants are very striking. They are about 90 to 105 centimeters (35 to 41 inches) long. Their long tail makes up about two-thirds of their total length. Males have a bright golden crest on their head. Their back is also golden, and their body is a bright red color.
They have a deep orange "cape" around their neck. This cape can be spread out like a fan during display. When spread, it looks like black and orange stripes. It covers most of their face, showing only their bright yellow eye.
The male's face, throat, and sides of the neck are a rusty tan color. Their upper back is green, and the rest of their back is golden-yellow. Their chest is a bright scarlet red. Their legs and feet are a dull yellow.
Female Golden Pheasants
Female golden pheasants, called hens, are not as colorful. Their feathers are a duller mottled brown. This helps them blend in with their surroundings. They look similar to female common pheasants.
Females are usually 60 to 80 centimeters (24 to 31 inches) long. Their tail is shorter than the male's. The female's chest and sides have buff and blackish-brown stripes. Her belly is plain buff. She has a buff-colored face and throat. Like the males, their legs and feet are a dull yellow.
Golden Pheasant Behavior
Habitat and Diet
Even though males are very colorful, these birds are hard to spot in the wild. They live in dense, dark young conifer forests. These forests have very little undergrowth. Because of this, we don't know much about how they behave naturally.
Golden pheasants eat on the ground. They look for grain, leaves, and invertebrates (like insects). At night, they sleep in trees. They can fly for short distances, but they prefer to run. Most of their time is spent on the ground. If they get scared, they can suddenly fly up very fast. They make a loud, distinct wing sound when they do this.
Reproduction and Calls
Golden pheasants lay about 8 to 12 eggs at a time. The female will then sit on the eggs for about 22 to 23 days. They tend to eat berries, grubs, seeds, and other plants. During the breeding season, the male makes a metallic call.
Golden Pheasants in Zoos
Golden pheasants are often seen in zoos and aviaries. However, sometimes the birds you see are not pure golden pheasants. They might be a mix with the similar Lady Amherst's pheasant. There are also different color types of golden pheasants. These have been bred in captivity. Some examples include yellow, cinnamon, and silver versions.
Images for kids
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Male at Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia
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Golden pheasant, egg – MHNT
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Female
See also
In Spanish: Faisán dorado para niños
