Crossoptilon mantchuricum
The Brown Eared Pheasant (*Crossoptilon mantchuricum*) is a majestic and robust gamebird, distinguished by its predominantly dark chestnut-brown plumage, standing approximately 96-100 cm (38-39 in) in length and weighing 2.2-2.8 kg (4.9-6.2 lb) for males. Its most striking features include a black crown, vivid bare red facial skin, and prominent white ear tufts extending backward from behind the eyes. White primary and secondary wing feathers provide a stark contrast against its dark body, pa...
This species primarily inhabits mountainous mixed coniferous and deciduous forests, along with dense scrub and rocky slopes. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 meters (3,300 to 6,600 feet) in north-central China.
Brown Eared Pheasants are omnivorous, primarily consuming a variety of plant matter including roots, tubers, bulbs, seeds, berries, and leaves. They supplement this diet with insects and larvae, particularly during the breeding season, often unearthed by powerful digging.
Brown Eared Pheasants are diurnal birds, often observed foraging in small, cohesive flocks of 3-10 individuals outside the breeding season, occasionally forming larger groups of up to 30 in winter. They are primarily ground-dwellers, exhibiting strong running ability, but are capable of powerful,...
The Brown Eared Pheasant is endemic to the mountainous regions of north-central China, with its distribution primarily centered in the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei, and extending into parts of Beijing Municipality. Smaller, fragmented populations may also exist in adjacent areas of Inner Mongoli...
Vulnerable
- The Brown Eared Pheasant is one of only four distinct species within the *Crossoptilon* genus, known collectively as the "eared pheasants. - Its powerful legs and claws are so robust that it can dig through frozen ground during harsh winters to access buried tubers and roots. - The species gets...