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Classification and distribution - White eared pheasant
Kingdom: Animals
Phylum: Cordati
Subphylum: Vertebrates
Class: Birds
Order: Galliformi
Family: Phasianides
Genus: Crossoptilon
Species: C. crossoptilon
The white eared pheasant is a species divided into 4 endemic geographical subspecies of different areas of Asia: the white eared pheasant of the Szechuan (Crossoptilon crossoptilon crossoptilon), the white eared pheasant of Dolani (Crossoptilon crossoptilon dolani), the white eared pheasant of the Yunnan (Cross crossoptilon lichiangense) and the Tibetan white eared pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon drouynii), the most bred and sought after by breeders.
Distinctive characters
All subspecies have black heads, red face masks and white plumage (including short ear tufts) but differ in the quantity or absence of dark gray, purple and green shades on the wings, rump and tail; the male differs from the female in that it is larger in size and due to the presence of spurs on its legs. They complete the plumage at the first year of age but reproduce at the second.
Tibetan white eared pheasant, pair (photo http://drubez.chovzvirat.com)
Behavior
Domesticated in captivity, it is however wilder than the other ear pheasant species, therefore it must be housed in spacious aviaries where stagnations and muddy areas must be avoided as it can easily contract gastrointestinal diseases; it does not fear the cold but is sensitive to hot and Mediterranean temperatures, its diet is made up of a blend of highly protein pheasants integrated with fruit and vegetables.
Reproduction: April / May
Hatching: 24 days
Number of eggs: 4 14
Cohabitation: monogamy
Dolani white eared pheasant (photo www.faisanesdelmundo.com)
Yunnan white eared pheasant (photo http://birdingbeijing.com)
Szechuan white eared pheasant (photo http://americans4birds.ipower.com)
Thanks to Pasquale DAncicco
