Birds
Reeves's Pheasant
Syrmaticus reevesii · also called reeves pheasant
Trailing tail feathers well over a metre long through dense central Chinese forest, a male Reeves’s pheasant carries the longest plumes of any pheasant species, a spectacular ornament that has unfortunately also made it a target for hunters for centuries.
Overview
Reeves’s pheasant, Syrmaticus reevesii, is a strikingly patterned bird native to forest habitat across central China. Its record-breaking tail feathers, the longest of any pheasant species, golden body marked with bold black scaling, and historical use in traditional Chinese opera costumes make it one of the most visually spectacular yet conservation-urgent pheasants found anywhere in the world.
A tail too valuable for its own good
The same exceptionally long tail feathers that make Reeves’s pheasant so visually spectacular have also made it a target for hunters seeking material for traditional costume, a demand that has contributed directly to the species’ ongoing decline in the wild.
Status
Vulnerable, having declined significantly due to hunting and ongoing loss of the forest habitat it depends on across central China.
Reeves's Pheasant: common questions
How long can a Reeves's pheasant's tail feathers grow?
Males of this species grow exceptionally long tail feathers, the longest of any pheasant species, which can stretch well over a metre and trail dramatically behind the bird, far exceeding the tail length of most other pheasant species.
Why were Reeves's pheasant feathers historically valuable?
This species' exceptionally long tail feathers have historically been used to decorate traditional Chinese opera headdresses and costumes, prized for their considerable length and visual impact, a demand that has contributed to hunting pressure on wild populations.
Why is Reeves's pheasant considered Vulnerable?
This species has declined significantly due to hunting, partly driven by demand for its long tail feathers, combined with ongoing loss of the forest habitat it depends on across central China, leaving it classified as Vulnerable.
How can you identify a Reeves's pheasant?
Males of this species have a golden-yellow body marked with bold black scaling and a black-and-white patterned head, combined with the species' signature exceptionally long trailing tail feathers, making it one of the most visually distinctive pheasants.