Cheer Pheasant
Catreus wallichii
The Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) is a rare partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 3 countries, weighing about 1.4 kg. The cheer pheasant, also known as Wallich's pheasant or chir pheasant, is a vulnerable species of the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
About the Cheer Pheasant
The cheer pheasant, also known as Wallich's pheasant or chir pheasant, is a vulnerable species of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is the only member in the genus Catreus. The scientific name commemorates Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
These birds lack the color and brilliance of most pheasants, with buffy gray plumage and long, gray crests. Its long tail has 18 feathers and the central tail feathers are much longer and the colour is mainly gray and brown. The female is slightly smaller in overall size.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December, with peak activity in May. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Cheer Pheasant?
- These birds lack the color and brilliance of most pheasants, with buffy gray plumage and long, gray crests. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Cheer Pheasant?
- The Cheer Pheasant is a large sized bird weighing about 1.4 kg.
- Where can you see a Cheer Pheasant?
- The Cheer Pheasant occurs in 3 countries, including India, Nepal and Pakistan.
- What birds look similar to a Cheer Pheasant?
- The Cheer Pheasant is most easily confused with the Painted Bush Quail, the Bar-backed Partridge and the Red-breasted Partridge.
- Is the Cheer Pheasant endangered?
- The Cheer Pheasant is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Cheer Pheasant for real
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