Species Profile
Reeves's Pheasant
Syrmaticus reevesii
Quick Facts
Conservation
VUVulnerableAlso known as: Reeves' Pheasant
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Appearance
The Reeves's Pheasant is a striking bird, notable for its extremely long tail feathers in males, which can reach up to 1.8 meters, longer than any other pheasant. Males display a golden-brown body with distinct black-and-white markings, a white crown, and a black-and-white barred tail.
Females are smaller and less colourful, with mottled brown plumage and shorter tails. Both sexes have bare red facial skin, grey legs, and a greenish-grey hooked beak. Males also have short spurs on their feet, which females lack.
Juveniles are mostly the same as females but have lighter forenecks and whitish-streaking on their pale brown breasts. Young males are relatively quick to get the pattern on their tails.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Buff
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Black
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Grey
Female Markings
Mottled brown plumage with black barring
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Reeves's Pheasants are endemic to central China, inhabiting temperate mixed forests with dense undergrowth. They prefer areas with a mix of coniferous and broadleaf trees, often in mountainous regions.
Their range extends across several Chinese provinces, including Sichuan, Hubei, and Guizhou. These birds are non-migratory, maintaining their territories year-round within suitable habitat areas.
They have been introduced into the United Kingdom, France and the Czech Republic, where small breeding populations have been established, mainly in lowland forests and occasionally farmland.
Distribution
Diet
Reeves's Pheasants are omnivorous, with a diet consisting primarily of plant matter such as seeds, berries, and leaves. They also consume insects, worms, and small invertebrates.
These birds often forage on the forest floor, using their strong feet to scratch and uncover food items.
They will often feed in small groups of up to 10 or more closely related birds. In Europe, this is usually in unisexual groups and in China mix-sexed groups. This occurs more frequently during the winter and mainly with females and juveniles.
Behaviour
Reeves's Pheasants are generally shy and elusive, preferring to run rather than fly when disturbed. They are often seen foraging on the ground in small groups, scratching the leaf litter for food.
During the breeding season, males become territorial and perform elaborate courtship displays, fanning their long tails to attract females.
Calls & Sounds
Reeves's Pheasants have a distinctive vocal repertoire. Males produce a loud, harsh 'kworr-kworr' call during the breeding season, often heard at dawn and dusk.
When alarmed, both sexes may emit a sharp, piercing 'kee-kee' sound. Females also make soft clucking noises to communicate with their chicks.
Nesting & Breeding
The breeding season for Reeves's Pheasants typically begins in April and extends through June. Males establish territories and perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females, often involving wing-flapping and tail-fanning.
Females construct nests on the ground, usually hidden in dense vegetation. The nest is a shallow scrape lined with leaves and grass. A clutch typically consists of 7-14 eggs, pale buff with fine brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 24-25 days, carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching but remain with the mother for several weeks as they learn to forage.
Conservation
Reeves's Pheasant is classified as Vulnerable due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Deforestation and conversion of land for agriculture pose significant threats.
Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and captive breeding programs to support wild populations.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Reeves's Pheasants in the dense undergrowth of mixed forests
- Listen for their distinctive loud, harsh call, especially during breeding season
- Be patient and quiet, as these birds are easily startled
- Visit protected areas in central China for the best chances of spotting them
- Use binoculars to spot their long tails among the foliage
Did You Know?
- The Reeves's Pheasant holds the record for the longest natural tail feathers of any bird species.
- These pheasants can run at speeds up to 40 km/h (around 25 mph) when threatened.
- They were named after John Reeves, a British naturalist who first introduced the species to Europe in the 1830s.
- Historically these birds were illegally hunted for their tail feathers for use in Peking Opera costumes.
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