Reeves's Pheasant
Syrmaticus reevesii
The Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) is a rare partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 12 countries, weighing about 1.2 kg. Reeves's pheasant is a large pheasant within the genus Syrmaticus.
About the Reeves's Pheasant
Reeves's pheasant is a large pheasant within the genus Syrmaticus. It is endemic to China. It is named after the British naturalist John Reeves, who first introduced live specimens to Europe in 1831.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Males measure 210 cm (83 in) long and weigh 1,529 g (3.371 lb). The male is brightly plumaged with a scaled golden white and red body plumage, grey legs, brown iris and bare red skin around the eye. The head is white with a black narrow band across its eyes. The male has an extremely long silvery white tail barred with chestnut brown. This pheasant is mentioned in the 2008 edition of Guinness World Records for having the longest natural tail feather of any bird species; a record formerly held by the crested argus pheasant. The tail can measure up to 2.4 m (7.9 ft) long.
What the Reeves's Pheasant sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Sweden, United Kingdom, Germany, United States, Switzerland.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Reeves's Pheasant?
- Males measure 210 cm (83 in) long and weigh 1,529 g (3.371 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Reeves's Pheasant?
- The Reeves's Pheasant is a large sized bird weighing about 1.2 kg.
- Where can you see a Reeves's Pheasant?
- The Reeves's Pheasant occurs in 12 countries, including France, China, Belgium, Czechia and Italy.
- What does a Reeves's Pheasant sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Reeves's Pheasant on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Reeves's Pheasant?
- The Reeves's Pheasant is most easily confused with the Mikado Pheasant, the Mrs. Hume's Pheasant and the Copper Pheasant.
- Is the Reeves's Pheasant endangered?
- The Reeves's Pheasant is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Reeves's Pheasant for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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