Description: Golden Pheasant males are notable for their brightly coloured body, long and fulsome tail and golden crest. The tail can be as much as two-thirds of its total length. Males have an orange ruff on their back that spreads dramatically like a neck cape and covers their face – all but their eyes. They ‘dance’ to show off their exquisite plumage as an elaborate courtship display.

Diet: These pheasants forage on the ground, consuming grains, leaves, berries, seeds, grubs and small invertebrates.

In the Wild: Golden Pheasants flock by day and roost in trees at night. Their flight is more ‘flapping’ than true flight, but they are fast runners from threats. Although native only to western China this bird is one of the most widely-spread introduced species in the world due to its suitability as a game bird and its spectacular plumage.

Threats: Not yet endangered, but Golden Pheasants are under threat from hunting (for their spectacular plumage) and habitat loss. Introduced pheasants are susceptible to native hawks, especially the hard-to-miss males.