Photo: lonelyshrimp / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Silver Pheasant
Lophura nycthemera
Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) — Gamebirds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 18 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 1.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Lophura
- Species nycthemera
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Silver Pheasant is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Silver Pheasant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) is a member of the Phasianidae family, within the order Galliformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR se Asia.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 25.5 cm and a tail of around 44 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 1.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Silver Pheasant?
The Silver Pheasant is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.
Where does the Silver Pheasant live?
The Silver Pheasant is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR se Asia, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Silver Pheasant belong to?
The Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Silver Pheasant eat?
The Silver Pheasant is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Silver Pheasant migrate?
The Silver Pheasant is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Silver 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 Silver Pheasant make?
1 real field recording of the Silver 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 Silver Pheasant's range?
The Silver Pheasant has a mapped global range of about 1.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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