Galliformes / Phasianidae / Crossoptilon
Brown Eared Pheasant
Crossoptilon mantchuricum · 褐马鸡
Introduction
A large pheasant endemic to the mountain forests of northern China. It is characterized by dark brown plumage, bare red facial skin, and long white ear tufts. The species is terrestrial, forming flocks outside the breeding season, and inhabits mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests.
Description
Length 83–110 cm. Body dark brown overall; head and neck black with bare bright red facial skin covered in small wart-like bumps. Long, stiff white ear tufts emerge from the sides of the head. Crown feathers velvety dark brown; faint narrow white band across nape. Base of forehead white with black tips; area behind nostrils and ear coverts white. Upper back and shoulders glossy brown with loose, hair-like feather tips. Lower back, rump, upper tail coverts, and tail feathers silvery white; tail tips black with metallic purplish-blue sheen. Central two pairs of tail feathers almost entirely filamentous, drooping like a horse’s tail. Chin and throat white; front of neck deep brown fading rearward; undertail coverts brownish-grey. Iris orange-yellow to reddish-brown; bill pink; legs and toes coral red; claws greyish. Males bear a spur on the tarsus. Both sexes similar in colouration.
Identification
Distinguished from the blue eared pheasant by dark brown body plumage (rather than blue) and white lower back and tail. Key field marks include bare bright red facial skin, long stiff white ear tufts resembling horns, and silvery white tail with black tips. Flight involves running uphill before gliding down from ridge tops.
Distribution & Habitat
Endemic to China, distributed in the Xiaowutai Mountains (northwestern Hebei), northwestern Shanxi, and Lüliang Mountains regions. Inhabits low mountains and hilly areas below 2,500 meters. Prefers secondary mixed forests of conifers and broad-leaved trees or coniferous forests in summer and autumn; occupies lower-elevation broad-leaved farmland, forest edges, and shrublands in winter.
Behavior & Ecology
Mainly terrestrial, foraging in open spaces within forests or grasslands along edges; roosts at night on pine or palm trees. Outside breeding season, forms flocks of 20–60 birds with clear hierarchy led by a dominant male. Diet consists primarily of plant materials with small amounts of animal food, varying seasonally. Breeding season April–June; pair formation begins mid-March. Nests are ground-based bowl structures in mixed forests at 1,800–2,500 m. Clutch size 4–17 eggs (commonly 6–9); incubation by female alone for 26–27 days. Chicks are precocial. Vocalizations include 'gu-ji' or 'gu-gu' for communication, 'ji-ji' alarm call, and rhythmic 'gua-gua-gua' during courtship.
Culture
Known in Chinese as 褐马鸡 (hè mǎ jī).
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Crossoptilon
Distribution
montane forest of northeastern China (Liaoning and Shanxi)
Data Sources
CBR Notes: IUCN红色名录等级由VU降为LC
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Bird images and sounds sourced from GBIF, contributed by citizen scientists worldwide under Creative Commons licenses.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.
