Reeves's Pheasant

The name commemorates the British naturalist John Reeves, who first introduced live specimens to Europe in 1831.

The Reeves's Pheasant is classified as Vulnerable (VU), considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Reeves's Pheasant, Syrmaticus reevesii, is a large (up to 210 cm long) pheasant within the genus Syrmaticus. It is endemic to China. The name commemorates the British naturalist John Reeves, who first introduced live specimens to Europe in 1831. More

Reeves's pheasant is a Nationally Protected Species (Second Class) in China, and listed as a protected species by the provincial governments of some of the provinces where it occurs. In the mid-1990s, a new national law was declared in China, forbidding the keeping of guns in private homes, including shotguns used for hunting, which has led to a significant reduction in hunting with guns of Chinese wildlife. More

female Reeves's Pheasant, Bircham Newton (Norfolk, UK), 7th April 2005 Two males of unknown origin, probably escaped but perhaps feral, appeared near Buckenham recently: Reeves's Pheasant, Buckenham, 20-Apr-07 Reeves's Pheasant, Buckenham, 20-Apr-07 Reeves's Pheasant, Buckenham, 20-Apr-07 Reeves's Pheasant, Buckenham, 20-Apr-07 Reeves's Pheasant, Buckenham, 20-Apr-07 male Reeves's Pheasant, Buckenham (Norfolk, UK), 20th April 2007 You might also be interested in... More

Reeves's Pheasants, male on the right Photos courtesy of Ellen Rockensock Native to north and central China, these long-tailed birds are often found in private collections. The males are very aggressive and should always be kept with several females in a pen with lots of cover. They should never be kept in mixed aviaries. The hens will produce 2 or more clutches per season of 8 to 14 eggs. The olive-brown or cream-colored eggs hatch in 24 days. More

Reeve's PheasantsThe Reeves's Pheasant, Syrmaticus reevesii, is endemic to the evergreen forests of central and east China. They have been introduced to Hawaii, USA, Czech Republic, France and the United Kingdom, where they have built up small breeding populations, and are still released on a small scale for shooting. They are hardy birds and their call consists of a musical warble. More

Reeves's pheasant chicks in nest© Wu Zhi-kang / World Pheasant Association Close up of a male Reeves's pheasant, side view© Kenneth W. Fink / www.ardea.com Close up of a male Reeves's pheasant© John Corder / World Pheasant Association Male Reeves's pheasant © Hans & Judy Beste / Animals Animals Male Reeves's pheasant, side view© Kenneth W. Fink / www.ardea.com Male Reeves's pheasant by water© Kenneth W. Fink / www.ardea. More

The hen Reeves's Pheasant is the same size as a male Common Pheasant. There are no known subspecies but there is some variation in plumage. Distribution and habitat The Reeves's Pheasant is endemic to evergreen forests of central and eastern China. Where introduced they also inhabit farmland close to woodlands. They have been introduced for sport and ornamental purposes to Hawaii, USA, Czech Republic, France and the UK. More

For the purposes of our bird news services, Reeves's Pheasant is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance. More

plumes, the Reeves's Pheasant is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. There are thought to be only around 2000 birds remaining in the wild. Reeves's Pheasants are known to be aggressive towards humans, animals and other pheasants. Reeves's Pheasant male (foreground) with other ornamental pheasants. They like higher ground and are hardy birds, being able to withstand heat and cold. More