golden pheasant

Latin: Chrysolophus pictus

This unique bird is unmistakable with males sporting a golden crest, bright red body and striped nape. The tail accounts for two-thirds of the total length. It can be identified by the golden color and profile of the head and neck, which due to the shape of the feathers make the bird seem as if it is wearing a golden war helmet.

Males have a golden-yellow crest with a hint of red at the tip. The face, throat, chin, and the sides of neck are rusty tan. The wattles and orbital skin are both yellow and the ruff or cape is light orange. The upper back is green and the rest of the back and rump is golden-yellow. The tertiaries are blue whereas the scapulars are dark red.

The central tail feathers are black spotted with cinnamon, with the tip of the tail being a cinnamon buff. The male also has a scarlet breast, and scarlet and light chestnut flanks and underparts. Several color mutations exist in captivity.

It is native to China where the golden pheasant is a symbol of beauty, good fortune and refinement.