Germain's Peacock-Pheasant

The Germain's peacock-pheasant, a bird of remarkable beauty, is a medium-sized pheasant endemic to the Indochina region. It measures approximately 60 centimeters in length and is adorned with a dark brownish plumage, intricately spotted with buff. Notable features include a short crest, bare red facial skin, and a brown iris. The plumage is further embellished with purplish-blue ocelli on the upper body and half of its tail, which consists of twenty feathers in males and eighteen in females. The female is slightly smaller than her male counterpart, yet both sexes share a similar appearance.

Identification Tips

When observing Germain's peacock-pheasant, look for the distinctive ocelli patterns on the upper body, the short crest, and the bare red skin on the face. The bird's overall brownish coloration with fine buff spotting helps distinguish it from other species. The male's twenty tail feathers and the female's eighteen can also aid in identification.

Habitat

This species thrives in the seasonal tropical forests of mid-southern Vietnam and far eastern Cambodia. It is a bird that favors the dense undergrowth of these lush environments.

Distribution

Germain's peacock-pheasant is a bird with a limited range, found only in southern Indochina. It is most readily observed in locales such as Cat Tien National Park.

Behaviour

The female typically lays a clutch of two creamy-white eggs, a modest number reflecting the careful investment in offspring characteristic of this species.

Conservation status

The Germain's peacock-pheasant faces challenges due to ongoing habitat loss and its restricted range. Consequently, it is currently assessed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and is listed on Appendix II of CITES, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts.