Species Spotlight: Golden Pheasant
Alex Levitskiy
This week’s featured species is the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) which is closely related to the past featured species, the Lady Amherst Pheasant. The Golden Pheasant is commonly referred to as the Red Golden Pheasant, due to there being many color varieties of them, which are oftentimes hybrids. The Golden Pheasant is one of the most popular pheasant species kept in captivity. This pheasant is believed to have been one of the first pheasants brought to America, with evidence that George Washington had them at Mt Vernon. The males are very striking birds, sporting their plumage of scarlet red, a silky yellow crest, an orange and black ruff, green upper back feathers which lead to a yellow golden back, and a spotted tail. The Golden Pheasant male is arguably one of the most beautiful male birds. The hen is, of course, dull and has brown barring on a buff colored body. Both sexes have yellow legs. These pheasants are very hardy, surviving in northern climates without any issues. They are the ultimate beginner pheasant, as was in my case. The males will provide you with endless entertainment as he pursues his hens and displays by extending his ruff and hissing. The Golden Pheasant will always reside in my collection. I suggest that you find a reputable source that has pure stock, as I have done by buying birds out of imported lines.
Being a Ruffed Pheasant, the Golden Pheasant will hybridize with the Lady Amherst Pheasant. I cannot emphasize how important it is to keep birds pure. Some people may be attracted to the color mutations, which is completely okay if one breeds them as a color variety and does not try selling the offspring as pure Golden Pheasants, as many do unfortunately. One day this irresponsible propagation of these lovely pheasants can end up making pure stock hard to find as their wild habitat diminishes. If you do decide to purchase these pheasants, make sure the males do not have red in their crest, green on their breast, nor any red on their lower back or rump. In the hens, make sure they do not have red tinge on their crown. Both sexes should not have dark legs. Golden Pheasants are also smaller than Lady Amherst Pheasants.
Golden Pheasant Pair
Golden Pheasant Male
Displaying Golden Pheasant Male
Golden Pheasant Hen
Golden Pheasant Pair
Photo Credit: Alex Levitskiy
