Reeves's Pheasant

The Reeves's pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) is a strikingly large bird, endemic to the forests of China. It bears the name of British naturalist John Reeves, who introduced the species to Europe in 1831. The male is a resplendent creature, adorned with scaled golden white and red body plumage, complemented by grey legs and brown irises. A distinctive feature is the bare red skin encircling the eye. The head is a canvas of white with a slender black band across the eyes. Notably, the male boasts an extraordinarily long silvery white tail, elegantly barred with chestnut brown, which holds the record for the longest natural tail feather of any bird species. Females, on the other hand, are more subdued in coloration, presenting a brown plumage with a blackish crown, a buff face, and greyish brown barred tail feathers, roughly the size of a male common pheasant.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Reeves's pheasant, look for the male's long tail and its unique coloration. The female can be distinguished by her more modest brown plumage and the characteristic buff face.

Habitat

The Reeves's pheasant favors the temperate evergreen and deciduous forests of central and eastern China. However, where introduced, they have adapted to farmland areas adjacent to woodlands.

Distribution

Originally from China, the Reeves's pheasant has been introduced to various countries for sport and ornamental purposes, including the United States, Czech Republic, France, and the United Kingdom, where they have established small breeding populations.

Behaviour

This hardy bird is well-adapted to both hot and cold climates and shows a preference for higher elevations for nesting. The female lays a clutch of 7–14 eggs in the spring, with an incubation period of 24–25 days. The species is known for its aggressive behavior towards humans, animals, and other pheasants, especially during the breeding season.

Song & Calls

The Reeves's pheasant produces a musical warble, a call that is more reminiscent of passerine birds than its galliform counterparts.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Reeves's pheasant consists primarily of vegetable matter, including seeds and cereals.

Conservation Status

The Reeves's pheasant is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, with an estimated population of only around 2000 birds remaining in the wild. Habitat loss and overhunting for food and tail plumes are significant threats to their survival. The species is also listed in Appendix II of CITES, regulating international trade to ensure their sustainability.