“The other endemic pheasant in Taiwan is the Swinhoe’s Pheasant (Lophura swinhoii). It generally prefers lower elevations to the Mikado Pheasant and the male is more often seen with a larger harem. We saw 7-8 females (below) with one male (above).
“The large red face wattle is a prominent feature and with the white nuchal crest strikes a dramatic image (below).
“The female also has a red eye patch with equally impressive plumage (below).
“They tend to retain fixed paths up and down the mountain slopes, which makes waiting for them at predetermined spots an opportunity for observation.
“We saw an immature male attempting to join but was chased away by the adult male in ‘classical’ style with a flurry, a ‘hopping’ action and aggressive posturing and chase.”
Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS
Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
18-19th December 2014
Location: Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area, Heping District, Taiwan
Habitat: 1800 meter ASL, forested region
