Sunday, 22 April 2007

Golden Pheasant in Kew 22.4.07

Whilst walking through Bluebell wood I saw this wonderful creature... he seemed too good to be true, but luckily I overheard him being described as a Golden Pheasant.


This bit was snitched from the RSPB website.... I had never heard of the Golden Pheasant before today:




Latin name: Chrysolophus pictus

Overview
Smaller than a pheasant, the male is very brightly coloured with a yellow crown and lower back, dark wings and upper neck, red underparts and long finely barred tail. female is paler brown than a female pheasant. It is a shy bird, keeping to dark, dense woodland. Roosts in trees at night.



Where to see them
Confined to areas on introduction in England, Scotland and Wales. Found in forestry plantations and dense woodland.



When to see them
All year round - best looked for early in the morning when it may be seen in clearings.

Estimated numbers in Europe
1,000-2,000 adults

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