Fauna
Bird

Swinhoe's Pheasant

Lophura swinhoii

Also known as Taiwan Blue Pheasant

Swinhoe's pheasants tread stealthily across the moist leaf litter of Taiwan's undisturbed broadleaf forests, foraging for fallen acorns, earthworms, and berries. Males put on dramatic courtship displays by puffing up their crimson facial wattles and flashing bright white back patches against brilliant cobalt body feathers. Although secretive by nature, they occasionally venture onto quiet mountain forest trails during early morning mist.

EndemicColorfulGround-dwelling
Swinhoe's Pheasant reference1 / 7
(c) Thibaud Aronson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Thibaud Aronson · cc-by-sa
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Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAcorns, Earthworms, Wild berries
Predators
  • Formosan black bear
  • Crested goshawk
  • Gem-faced palm civet
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, historical overhunting, and introduced predators
HabitatsPrimary and mature secondary broadleaf forest slopes
Life span10–15 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPhasianidae
  2. SpeciesLophura swinhoii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Males feature a brilliant white crest, white upper back patch, and vivid red facial wattles.
Support conservation
Remain on designated mountain trails and observe quietly without luring birds with food.
Responsible observation
  • Best Viewing Times: Search quiet forest trails at dawn or dusk when birds emerge from cover to forage.
  • Observer Distance: Maintain a respectful distance to avoid scaring foraging pairs back into dense brush.
  • Photography Etiquette: Avoid flash photography or playing call recordings, which stress breeding birds.
Related species
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