Blue Eared-Pheasant

     The Blue Eared-Pheasant is a large Pheasant which is found throughout mountain forests of central and western China. They are the most common members of the Eared Pheasants genus (the others are the Brown Eared-Pheasant and the White Eared-Pheasant) in captivity due to their hardiness and natural friendliness. Blue Eared-Pheasants are also heavy diggers and use their large, heavy bills to forage for grubs, insects and roots.

    The Blue Eared-Pheasant is a dark blue-grey bird with velvet black crown, red bare facial skin, and crimson legs. They are also characterized by their long white ear-coverts which are located behind their eyes. And their tails consist of elongated bluish grey curved feathers which are loose and dark-tipped. Both sexes of the Blue Eared-Pheasant are similar in appearance but the male is slightly larger.

     The Blue Eared-Pheasant usually breeds in its second year, although fertile eggs in the first year are possible. The breeding season starts in April and lasts until June. Blue Eared-Pheasants also breed well in captivity and make attentive parents. The female usually lays 6 to 12 eggs per clutch, and incubates them for  around 26 days.