Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Chrysolophus

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Kingdom
  
Order
  
Subfamily
  
Phasianinae

Higher classification
  
Clutch size
  
Golden pheasant: 8 – 12

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Phasianidae

Scientific name
  
Chrysolophus

Rank
  
Genus

Chrysolophus httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Length
  
Golden pheasant: 90 – 100 cm

Lower classifications
  
Golden pheasant, Lady Amherst's pheasant

Golden pheasant goldfasan chrysolophus pictus


Chrysolophus is a genus of the pheasant family of birds. The genus name is from Ancient Greek khrusolophos, "with golden crest".

These are species which have spectacularly plumaged males. The golden pheasant is native to western China, and Lady Amherst's pheasant to Tibet and westernmost China, but both have been widely introduced elsewhere. In places where self-supporting feral populations have become established, such as England, the two species will interbreed to produce hybrids.

Despite the male's showy appearance, these birds are very difficult to see in their natural habitat, which is dense, dark, young conifer forests with sparse undergrowth. Consequently, little is known of their behaviour in the wild.

They feed on the ground on grain, leaves and invertebrates, but roost in trees at night. Whilst they can fly, they prefer to run: but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive wing sound.

References

Chrysolophus Wikipedia