Syrmaticus reevesii
Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) is an exceptionally striking gamebird renowned for its astonishingly long tail feathers, often exceeding 1.5 meters (5 feet) in males, with some records over 2.4 meters. This large pheasant measures 75-210 cm (30-83 in) in total length, primarily due to the tail, and weighs 0.7-1.5 kg (1.5-3.3 lbs). Males feature a bold white head with a distinctive black mask and a scaly golden-yellow body plumage, contrasted by black underparts and dark wings with whi...
Primarily inhabits temperate deciduous and mixed evergreen forests with dense undergrowth, often on steep, rocky slopes, at elevations typically between 300 to 1,800 meters.
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on a wide array of grains, seeds, roots, tubers, leaves, and various plant matter, supplemented opportunistically with insects and other invertebrates, obtained by scratching the ground.
Reeves's Pheasants are generally diurnal, foraging actively during the day and roosting communally in trees at night, often returning to the same favored locations. They employ a characteristic scratch-and-peck foraging strategy, meticulously digging through leaf litter and shallow soil for food ...
The Reeves's Pheasant is native to a relatively restricted and fragmented range in mountainous central China, primarily found in the provinces of Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Anhui, and Guizhou. Within this native range, populations are localized, typically inhabiting broadleaf and mixed evergreen forest...
Near Threatened
- The male Reeves's Pheasant holds the record for the longest tail feathers among all bird species, often exceeding 1.5 meters (5 feet) and sometimes reaching up to 2.4 meters (8 feet) in exceptional individuals. - Despite its impressive length, the tail is relatively light and flexible, allowing...