Sichuan Hill Partridge

Sichuan Hill Partridge

　　The genus Crossoptilon belongs to the family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. It has a particularly well-developed tuft of feathers on the ears—long and slightly stiff—that often protrudes from the neck, hence it is also called the horned pheasant or ear-tufted pheasant. The tail is slightly laterally flattened or flat, consisting of 20–24 tail feathers, with the central tail feather about twice as long as the outermost ones. Since the barbs of the central tail feathers mostly droop loosely, resembling a horse’s tail, it is also known as the Sichuan Hill Partridge. Males and females have similar coloration. Males have short, blunt spurs and are slightly larger in size. There are three species: the Brown Eared Pheasant, the Blue Eared Pheasant, and the Tibetan Eared Pheasant, all distributed within China—from Tibet and Yunnan in the south to Gansu and even North China in the north. The Tibetan Eared Pheasant is occasionally found in northern India.

The Brown Eared Pheasant and the Blue Eared Pheasant are about 1,000 mm in body length, with laterally flattened central tail feathers that stand up above the other tail feathers. The Tibetan Eared Pheasant is larger in size and differs from the other two species in that its ear tufts do not protrude beyond the neck, usually having only 20 tail feathers. Its tail is flatter, with the central tail feathers and others all drooping downward rather than standing upright. The lateral feather vanes are nearly normal, with slightly loose but not drooping barbs. Based on these features, the Tibetan Eared Pheasant may be the most primitive type within the genus.

The Brown Eared Pheasant has primarily brown plumage, while the Blue Eared Pheasant has mainly blue plumage. The Tibetan Eared Pheasant has five subspecies, three of which have predominantly white plumage, and the other two mainly blue or bluish-gray plumage. Because most subspecies of the Tibetan Eared Pheasant are mainly white, it is also called the White Eared Pheasant.

Most Sichuan Hill Partridges inhabit hills and high mountains, are good runners, and often move in groups. They fly slowly and usually do not fly far. When alarmed, they often dash wildly uphill and only take flight at the ridge before gliding down to valleys. The Tibetan Eared Pheasant is less timid than the Blue and Brown Eared Pheasants and sometimes approaches villages without fear. Their calls are loud. When calling, they raise their heads and stretch their necks, with their beaks almost pointing directly upward and their tails tilting up, giving a majestic posture. Sichuan Hill Partridges use their beaks to dig for food, feeding mainly on tubers, fine roots, seeds, and also insects. They breed in spring and summer, with one male pairing with one female. To compete for mates, males often fight. Nests are built on the ground, shaped like shallow dishes, made of dead twigs, moss, and dry grass, and lined with debris and broken feathers. Eggs are light brown, bluish-green, or earth-yellow. The incubation period is 26–27 days. Both parent birds help feed and raise the chicks. Foxes are their main predators.

Sichuan Hill Partridges are a valuable animal resource in China. Due to their bright plumage, they are prized as ornamental birds in zoos. All are currently listed as endangered protected birds.