Wildlifeof China
Blue Eared Pheasant
Pheasants, Partridges & Quails
Photo: linda from Netherlands · CC BY 2.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Crossoptilon auritum
China Red List: Near Threatened (NT)
Basic stats
Diet
About 80% berries and vegetable matter, 20% insects, especially beetles
Habitat
Mountain forest, preferring juniper scrub in alpine meadows at 2,700–4,400m
Range
Central China (endemic)
Size
About 96cm including a 49–56cm tail
Weight
Males 1,700–2,110g, females 1,450–1,880g
The blue eared pheasant is a large pheasant endemic to China, about 96cm long including a 49–56cm tail. Males weigh 1,700–2,110g and females 1,450–1,880g. The plumage is dark blue-grey with a velvet-black crown, red facial wattles of bare skin around the eyes, a yellow iris, long white ear coverts, a pale pink bill and crimson legs (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is found in the mountain forests of central China, preferring juniper scrub in alpine meadows at 2,700–4,400m. Its diet is mainly (about 80%) berries and vegetable matter, with the remaining 20% insects, particularly beetles (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Blue Eared Pheasant eat?
- About 80% berries and vegetable matter, 20% insects, especially beetles
- What habitat does the Blue Eared Pheasant live in?
- Mountain forest, preferring juniper scrub in alpine meadows at 2,700–4,400m
- Where is the Blue Eared Pheasant found?
- Central China (endemic)
- How big is the Blue Eared Pheasant?
- About 96cm including a 49–56cm tail
- How much does the Blue Eared Pheasant weigh?
- Males 1,700–2,110g, females 1,450–1,880g