A colorful pheasant with vibrant red and golden plumage, adorned with long tail feathers, walks on a gravel path beside green bushes.

Golden Pheasant

Paignton Zoo is home to one striking golden pheasant, who lives in Cottage Aviary at the very top of the zoo.

Golden PheasantChrysolophus pictus

  • Class:

    Aves

  • Order:

    Galliformes

  • Family:

    Phasianidae

About the golden pheasant

The golden pheasant is native to woodland and forest edge habitats in central and western China. Males display a brilliant golden crest, vivid red underparts, and intricate black and orange markings.

An omnivore, it feeds on seeds, shoots, berries, and invertebrates in woodland mosaics and farmland edges.

Conservation

The species is classified as Least Concern, although habitat change and hunting in parts of China may affect local populations.