Mikado Pheasant - Definition

The Mikado Pheasant, Syrmaticus mikado, is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. It is endemic to mountainous regions of Taiwan. It is an endangered species.

There are some Mikado pheasants bred in captivity, but there are only about 10,000 individuals in the wild, particularly in the Yushan National Park. Heavy hunting pressure was a problem in the past, but is not a serious threat today.

The species occupies grassy terrain with conifer overstory in central and southern Taiwan, from 2000 to 3200 metres above sea level. The males are territorial, making ke, ke, ke calls when fighting. The long and stiff shiny tail feathers of the bird were used by the Taiwanese aborigines as a headdress decoration.

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet (http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=269&m=0)
• 5 photos (http://membres.lycos.fr/tragopan/english/e_mikado_pheasant.htm)