Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii)

Reeves's pheasant aggregates into flocks of ten or more in autumn and winter, reducing to four to eight in spring, and breaking up in March with the onset of the breeding season, when males start to establish territories (6) (7). Males advertise their territories and attract females by calling and 'wing-whirring' from March to early June. This pheasant is thought to be primarily monogamous, but occasionally polygamous (6). Females lay six to ten eggs into a nest on the ground, usually under bushes or in grass (2) (6). Incubation lasts 24 to 25 days and is performed by the female alone (6). This omnivorous bird forages by scratching and digging in the ground, mainly for fruits and seeds, but also for buds, fresh leaves, flowers and some insects, snails and earthworms (2) (6). Cultivated beans, cereals and root crops are also taken from nearby farmland (6).

Rights Holder: Wildscreen