Swinhoe’s Pheasant

     The Swinhoe’s Pheasant, also known as the Taiwan Blue Pheasant, is a bird in the Pheasant family endemic to the mountains of Central Taiwan. Along with the Mikado Pheasant, this bird is sometimes considered as an unofficial national symbol of Taiwan. Interestingly, the male Swinhoe’s pheasant bears the colors of the national flag of Taiwan (red, white and blue).

     The male Swinhoe’s pheasant is a spectacular bird, boasting a glossy black plumage with brilliant metallic blue lustre. He also has shimmering maroon shoulders, and distinctive pattern of white patches on the upper back, crest and long central tail feathers. The female Swinhoe’s pheasant is of a brown color marked with yellow arrow-shaped spots and complex barring patterns. And this  of course provides a perfect camouflage when nesting. Both sexes of the Swinhoe’s pheasant have bright-red legs and face wattles, which are quite larger in the males.

     The breeding season of the Swinhoe’s pheasant lasts from March to July. The peak of egg-laying probably occurs in March and May, although reports as late as October exist. Clutches of three to eight eggs are laid and then incubated for around 25 days by the female alone.