Golden pheasant is a colorful bird. Golden pheasant: description and photo

Nature is a talented artist, otherwise you will not say, admiring the beautiful bright unique color of some species of birds. One of such wonderful creations of nature is the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus). Gave such a beauty to the world of China, it is the subtropical jungles of China that are the birthplace of the bird. There are many different breeds of these birds, but it is the golden pheasant that is considered the most popular among those who breed birds.

Colorful bird

If we talk about the collar pheasants, in all species the main ornaments are: a wide, long crest and a stepped, roof-shaped long tail, in which there are 18 steering feathers. Another distinctive decoration - a beautiful collar, he, like a robe, with him the birds look proud and important, like a grandee.

Golden pheasant - bird, description Which deserves attention. The color of this golden miracle is extremely bright and justifies the name of this breed. The head of the male is adorned with a yellow and golden ebony tuft, the neck is "dressed" in a collar of the same color, the tail is also golden over the tail. Female can not boast such a rich outfit, in their plumage is dominated by a brown color with a red tint. Against the background of their "gentlemen", "ladies" look more than modest. Experts of these birds call its wild form red - pheasant red gold.

Male adolescents are very similar to females, they can be distinguished only by a spotted tail and red spots scattered throughout the body. The total length of an adult male is approximately 100-150 cm. The female is half as small as 65-70 cm. Legs and beaks are the same for "boys" and "girls" of yellow color.

Life in the natural environment

For 10-20 years there are populations of golden pheasant in the UK. Birds settled in coniferous forests of pine and larch. They choose the place of residence so that the thickets alternate with the glades on which they feed. Very dense forest tracts, as well as completely open and wet places, pheasants do not like.

A golden pheasant bird is found in nature only in mountain forests. Her favorite place is bamboo thickets at the foot of stony mountains. To visit this bird can and on tea plantations, agricultural fields. Such places for it as a dining room, where the table is constantly laid with your favorite dishes. After harvesting and harvesting, the grain remains, here are the feathered handsome men and got used to being fed there.

In nature pheasants do not like the company very much and prefer to stay alone or in small groups, during the mating season they create a family and separate. An interesting fact is that when a danger arises, the "golden" bird simply escapes, rather than flies away, which, it would seem, is more effective. Only when there is no other way out, he remembers that he can fly. The fleeing bird is not it surprising?

What feeds the golden pheasant - a luxurious chicken

These luxurious chicken eat, you can say, the same as simple chickens. The main diet is vegetable food and grain. In nature they like to eat flowers, especially rhododendrons. Bamboo shoots for these feathered gourmets, as for children candy. From time to time, the "golden" vegetarians retreat from the established menu and eat small spiders and bugs.

In the daytime, birds spend more time on the ground in search of food, night are arranged for the night, selecting for this very high tree. They prefer to sleep at high altitude.

Golden pheasant: breeding and reproduction in natural conditions

Dating games handsome pheasants arrange in the middle of spring. As soon as the first spring good weather sets in, the males start screaming all day long. Thus, they inform about the beginning of the period of takings. These serenades are so loud that a man who was too close, I want to close my ears. Samochka likes such "songs" - this is the main thing!

On what only does not go for the sake of his chosen one a golden pheasant. Colorful bird, To show off their bright plumage in a favorable light, starts dancing. During the wedding dance the female makes her choice, after which the birds immediately mate. Sometimes, in order to defend the object of adoration, males arrange whole battles.

Female pheasants are ready to continue the genus as early as the first year, males are going to this longer. At the end of the second year of life, the pheasant can effectively mate. In nature, the female lays 5 to 12 eggs, climbing for this in dense grass or in bamboo thickets. The incubation period lasts 21-24 days.

Nestlings, having got out of the egg, do not leave the nest of day two, after this period, the kids with pleasure accompany their mother, running after her in search of food. After 2 weeks the pheasants begin to make their first flights, having learned to fly, they can already sleep with their mother in the tree. "Golden" mom is very caring, hatching and nestling only on her. "Golden" dad does not take any part in family troubles. He gathers around himself 2-3 females, acquires from them offspring and "washed his paws." On this, his mission to continue the clan is over.

How do golden pheasants breed in captivity?

For several hundred years the golden pheasant is considered a resident of Europe, very long ago it was brought here. In captivity, it breeds quite successfully. Experienced breeders compare the female pheasant with chicken: eats grain, chicks hatch, deduces them later, like a usual domestic hen.

At home maintenance, the female starts laying eggs from April, and one egg a day later. They can be selected, leaving the future mother only the last clutch of 12-15 eggs, in which case from one layer you can get up to 30 pcs. When the female sits to sit the babies, do not forget to isolate the male, otherwise you risk not having to wait for offspring. A naughty daddy has a bad habit of pecking eggs or driving mom off the nest.

Hatched chicks are recommended to feed larvae of insects, flour worms. It is also useful for babies to prepare a mixture of finely chopped meat, crushed boiled eggs, grated carrots, salad and crushed biscuits. Since the month of age, no personal care for young people is required. The grown-up chicks cease to notice their parent and live quite independently.

Number of

To date, the golden pheasant He did not reveal to his nature lovers all his secrets. In the natural environment, it is still not fully understood. One can say with certainty that the terrible prospect of extinction and extinction of this beautiful bird is not threatened. In nature, they are few, but this fact is compensated by the fact that a very large number of "golden" birds are found in zoos, reserves, nurseries and simply in private domains. Golden pheasants with their bright plumage and beautiful, elegant body shape can decorate any house, and even feel comfortable in captivity.