Syrmaticus mikado
The Mikado Pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado, is a magnificent and iconic gamebird endemic to the mountainous regions of Taiwan. Males are exceptionally striking, measuring an impressive 70-97 cm in length, with their iridescent purplish-blue to black bodies dramatically contrasted by broad white bars on their wings and an extraordinarily long, often over 50 cm, black tail barred with white. Females are more subtly adorned, featuring a mottled brown plumage with lighter streaks and a shorter, barre...
Found exclusively in dense, humid subtropical and temperate broadleaf and mixed coniferous forests of Taiwan's central mountain ranges, typically at elevations between 1,800 to 3,300 meters.
Their diet is omnivorous, primarily consisting of seeds, fruits, berries, buds, leaves, and various invertebrates such as insects, worms, and mollusks, all foraged by scratching on the forest floor.
Mikado Pheasants are primarily diurnal, often most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours, foraging on the forest floor, though they can be quite elusive. They roost in trees, particularly tall conifers, seeking shelter from predators and weather. Foraging involves scratching th...
The Mikado Pheasant is strictly endemic to the central mountain ranges of Taiwan, where its distribution is confined to elevations typically ranging from 1,800 to 3,300 meters above sea level, although individuals have been recorded as low as 1,200 meters. There is no known migratory pattern; the...
Vulnerable
- The Mikado Pheasant is Taiwan's national bird and is often depicted on the country's currency and stamps. - Its name, 'Mikado,' refers to the Emperor of Japan, reflecting the historical period of its discovery and naming. - Male Mikado Pheasants possess an extraordinarily long tail, which can r...