Bird · GBIF taxon 5228033
Lady Amherst's Pheasant
Chrysolophus amherstiaeAlso known as Chinese Copper Pheasant, Amherst Pheasant
Males display an extraordinary brilliant plumage featuring a silver-and-black cape, vivid green breast, and a tremendously long white-and-black barred tail. Native to the dense bamboo thickets and mountain forests of southwestern China and Myanmar, these secretive ground birds spend their days foraging quietly under heavy cover. Females wear cryptically patterned brown plumage, blending seamlessly into leaf litter while tending nests hidden deep within mountain brush.
ColorfulElusiveForest Dweller
Licensed reference(c) Henry Koh, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Bamboo shoots
- Insects
- Seeds
Predators
- Raptors
- Civets
- Wild cats
ThreatsHabitat loss, deforestation, and local hunting pressures
HabitatsMontane dense bamboo thickets and evergreen forests
Life span6–10 years in the wild (up to 15 in captivity)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhasianidae
- SpeciesChrysolophus amherstiae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation strategy: Move quietly along shadowy forest edges near dense bamboo stands during dawn or dusk.
- Identification cue: Distinguish males by their white fan-like cape with dark edges and bright crimson crest.
- Listening tips: Listen for harsh, raspy courtship calls echoing from steep hillside cover.
Co-occurring Pheasant MZPlus / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative "Golden Pheasant, Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China" by jmhullot is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Relative "Reeves's Pheasant" by shankar s. is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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