Skip to main content

Photo: Jmhullot / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

The Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 555 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Galliformes
  3. Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
  4. Genus Chrysolophus
  5. Species pictus

Where it lives

Central, southern China

Quick facts

Weight
555 g
Family
Phasianidae
Order
Galliformes
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Golden Pheasant feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Golden Pheasant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR c, s China.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 555 g, with a wing length of about 17.7 cm and a tail of around 50.5 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 969,000 km².

Songs & calls

Golden Pheasant — Song

Recorded by Jelle Scharringa Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Golden Pheasant?

The Golden Pheasant is a large bird that weighs around 555 g.

Where does the Golden Pheasant live?

The Golden Pheasant is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR c, s China, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Golden Pheasant belong to?

The Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.

What does the Golden Pheasant eat?

The Golden Pheasant feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.

Does the Golden Pheasant migrate?

The Golden Pheasant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Golden Pheasant endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Golden Pheasant make?

1 real field recording of the Golden Pheasant — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Golden Pheasant's range?

The Golden Pheasant has a mapped global range of about 969,000 km².

Conservation

Least Concern

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

How to help birds

Explore more birds

More in Phasianidae

More in Game Birds

Back to top