Place or origin:
The Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is native to Burma and China but was introduced to England in 1828 by the Governor-General of Bengal, William Pitt Amherst. The Lady Amherst's pheasants were named after his wife, Countess Sarah Amherst, and were originally brought to Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, England. Here, they were interbred and hunted for sport. Sadly today, their numbers have dwindled in the U.K. to such a degree that they are considered extinct there. However there were occasional sighting, but they luckily still have a robust population in their native country.
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The size difference & color description:
As most other types of pheasants the males are larger and more vibrantly colored than the females. The males have a crest at the back of their heads that is a silver like color with black lacing which can be used in courtship when fanned out ward. The males also have a dark emerald green back and chest with black lacing, a non laced yellow back and blue wing feathers that have black lacing as well. Their tales have a zebra like pattern with thin orange feathers randomly around the tail.Females how ever have beautiful black laved feathers and long tail like the males, the their feathers are shades of orange, rusty red, drown, and yellows. the female tend to play a game of chase with the males to see how fast and healthy the males are as an extra stage of courtship.
Female________________________________________________________Male
| Female Size: | 26–27 inches |
| Male Size: | 51–68 inches (including tail feathers) |
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The confusing courtship:
The courtship behavior of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant is truly captivating. The male bird will run around the female creating a spectacular dance like chase to try and impress the female during the breeding season. When trying to impress a female the male doesn't just runn around the female he does many other this, this includes puffing out his chest, fanning his tail feathers and strutting around while emitting loud courtship calls. His colorful plumage will be on full display during this dance like chase for the female. If the female is impressed by the the male's plumage and ability to keep up with her every move, she will allow him to mate and then she will leave right after to go make a nest & brooder the eggs alone unlike quail like I've talking about before who become a pair and raise chick together.These images show the Males running after & courting the females while she starts running away
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Brooding of the eggs & incubation:
After a female has mated with a male she then will leave to the edges of his territory to then make a nest where she will collect dead grasses and small sticks and will lay roughly 20 some eggs. She will protect the eggs if needed and will react rather aggressively is messed with too much. She will normally at least try to stay hidden with her nest turning and taking care of the eggs as any mother would. The eggs normally incubate for roughly around 23 be for they hatch and he will leave the nest with them, but go into lockdown around day 20 when in an incubator.
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Taking care of chicks & what to feed:
When chicks hatch in the wild they eat bamboo seed and any small bugs they come across, but in captivity its very common to only feed them Turkey starter and it's in my opinion always a great health option to add in some meal worms and vegetables\greens to add some variety. It always seem to do them some good. Adding calcium powder to their meals as well just like you would for reptile like Beardies or Iguanas as it tends helps them a lot with growing bigger and prettier feathers with way more of a health shine to them. After they turn a month or so, you can switch over to 20% turkey crumble instead. Of course still adding those extra ingredients to help them grow extra big and strong.
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Population/Distribution/Habitat:
In their wild range Lady Amherst’s Pheasants normally can be observed living in bamboo thickets and forests, of course if you can only is you can find them that is. Since they live in such dense forested areas and spend most of their time on the ground, they aren’t easily seen. They are also normally living in extremely high altitudes of 6,000 to 15,000 feet. Sadly while these birds aren’t badly endangered, their population is declining because of loss of habitat and being hunted for food.__________________________________________________________________________
Diet and Nutrition:
Lady Amherst’s Pheasant's usually feed on the ground eating mostly grains, leaves and invertebrates, but roost they will trees at night. Although they can perfectly fly long distances with relative ease, they prefer to run, but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed. The male emits a metallic like call in the breeding season to either attract a mate or keep away other males from their territory.__________________________________________________________________________
Egg description & comparisons:
Lady Amherst’s Pheasant's have a very beautiful creamy blueish gray colored egg that had a think bottoms and slightly pointy tops and it should not be confused with the ring-necked pheasant eggs which have a more creamy tan color instead of the Lady Amherst’s blueish color.
Ringneck Pheasant eggs_________________________________________Lady Amherst’s Pheasant eggs
