Syrmaticus soemmerringii
The Copper Pheasant, *Syrmaticus soemmerringii*, is a resplendent member of the pheasant family, Phasianidae, renowned for the male's striking plumage and impressive tail. Males are a spectacular blend of rich copper-red and chestnut-brown, often with darker barring, and feature a brilliant bare crimson-red facial patch. They measure an imposing 87.5-136 cm (34.4-53.5 in) in length, with their magnificent tail contributing 55.5-100 cm (21.9-39.4 in) of that, and weigh 0.9-1.1 kg (2.0-2.4 lb)....
Found on steep, rocky hillsides within dense broadleaf evergreen and deciduous forests, as well as secondary growth and bamboo thickets, from sea level up to 1600 meters (5,250 ft).
Omnivorous, feeding mainly on seeds, acorns, berries, leaves, buds, and roots, supplemented by insects such as beetles, ants, and spiders, all gathered by ground-foraging.
Primarily diurnal, Copper Pheasants are often secretive and wary, typically detected by their distinctive calls before they are seen. They are ground-foragers, using their strong legs and feet to scratch through leaf litter for food. During the breeding season, males establish and vocally defend ...
The Copper Pheasant is exclusively endemic to the Japanese archipelago, where it is a resident and non-migratory species. Its distribution spans the main islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, primarily inhabiting the mountainous and hilly regions. Five distinct subspecies are recognized: *S. s....
Least Concern
- The Copper Pheasant is entirely endemic to Japan, found nowhere else in the world. - Known as 'Yamadori' (ヤマドリ) in Japanese, it is a significant cultural symbol, often appearing in traditional art, poetry, and folklore. - Males possess one of the longest tails among all pheasant species, though...