When deciding to bring a new animal into the family, you want to ensure that you can give the new animal everything that they need to flourish. Silver Pheasants are uncommon to see in the United States, but they’re becoming more popular among aviculturists due to low maintenance requirements.
Quick Facts About Silver Pheasants
| Breed Name: | Lophura nycthemera |
| Place of Origin: | Eastern and southern China |
| Uses: | Companionship, egg-laying |
| Male Size: | 28–49 in., 2.49–4.41 lbs. |
| Female Size: | 22–35 in., 2.2–2.9 lbs. |
| Color: | Grey, silver (male), brown (female), with red face and legs |
| Lifespan: | 15–20 years |
| Climate Tolerance: | Prefers mild weather |
| Care Level: | Requires an aviary but needs no special care; suitable for beginners |
| Production: | Up to 30–40 eggs per season |
Origins & History
The Silver Pheasant was first documented in Chinese folklore. They are endemic to southeast Asia and eastern and southern China but have been successfully introduced to Hawaii and some areas of the United States.
In the modern-day, Silver Pheasants are common in aviculture and remain common in the wild. However, some subspecies of the Silver Pheasant endemic to Southeast Asia are considered rare and threatened.
Characteristics
Silver Pheasants are quiet and mild birds. They won’t dig up or eat any plants planted in and around their aviary. They’re fantastic birds for beginner aviculturists because they don’t require special care.
They are not pinioned and can fly if their wings aren’t clipped. Prospective owners will need to invest in a covered aviary to keep their birds from simply taking off. You can have their wings clipped instead, but you’ll want to get a professional to show you how to do that before you attempt it yourself.
Uses
Silver Pheasants usually don’t become fertile until their second year of life. A female will lay a clutch of six to 12 eggs during the breeding season—from around March or April until the end of May—but can continue to lay upward of 30 or 40 eggs if the eggs are removed from her nest.
A Silver Pheasant can lay about 20 eggs on average during the breeding season without worry. There may be health risks if she lays too many eggs, though, as with any bird.
Appearance & Varieties
There are 15 recognized subspecies of the Silver Pheasant. The male, as the name implies, has silvery-grey feathers. Females have brown feathers on their bodies. Both sexes have red faces and red legs; the latter trait separates them from the Kalij Pheasant.
The male Silver Pheasant varies significantly in size, with the largest subspecies averaging a body length of 47–49 inches and the smallest subspecies barely reaching 28 inches.
Population, Distribution & Habitat
The natural habitat of the Silver Pheasant is mountainous forests. They’re found across eastern and southern China and the mountains of Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand.
The population of Silver Pheasants in the wild is generally without cause for concern. Most of the endemic population in China and southeast Asia hasn’t suffered much overhunting or loss of habitat. However, the Whitehead, Engelbachi, and Annamensis subspecies are threatened. Some populations of wild Silver Pheasants were introduced to the islands of Hawaii and America, but the birds remain uncommon in the States.
Are Silver Pheasants Good for Small-Scale Farming?
Silver Pheasants are suitable for starter aviculturists because they lack special care needs. They don’t require much besides an aviary and fresh, nutritious food. Since they don’t lay eggs year-round, though, they are not particularly good for egg farming.
Final Thoughts
Silver Pheasants are gorgeous and unique birds that are ideal for novice aviculturists. While they may not be good for egg farming, they make lovely companion birds that will still lay eggs during the breeding season. Silver Pheasant chicks are friendly with other birds and humans alike; people who raise them report no difficulty in hand-taming. Whether you’re a novice or veteran aviculturist, you’ll love having Silver Pheasants in your life!
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Featured Image Credit: Piqsels
