It belongs to eared
pheasant genus of the Phasianidae family of Galliformes order. Its scientific
name is Crossoptilon mantchuricum (Latin), or Brown-eared pheasant
(English).
It is a large-size fowl genus, with a body
length of about 96 centimeters. The body feathers are mainly deep brown. The
head and neck are splendid black, with auriculars in white clusters and
silicle-shaped. The remiges are light brown. The waist and the base portion of
rectrices are white. The rectrices are long, turning black in terminals. The
central rectrices are especially long and erect, with pinnule wrapping around
and drooping like dispersed hairs. The naked skin on the face is ponceau, with
pink weak. The feet are coral red. Male birds have bird spurs.
Brown-eared Pheasant inhabits in bushes with
much grass or arbor areas in the woods, and lodge on frondose twig during
nights. It feeds on seeds, leaf buds and burgeons of pines, rubber trees, etc.
It builds nests in sunken areas between pines, birches, or bushes. The average
number of eggs per brood is 6 to 8. Eggs are different in color, mainly light
brown and pale blue. The incubation period lasts about 24 to 25 days.
Endemic to China, Brown-eared Pheasant is
mainly distributed in Shanxi, Hebei provinces and Beijing. The bird has
been listed in Appendix I of International Trade Convention on Endangered
Wild Animal and Plant Species. China has established the feeding and
breeding industry, to exploit its economic value.