【Yushan National Park】Rare Birds of Taiwan- Swinhoe's Pheasant

Swinhoe's Pheasant（Lophura swinhoii）is one of Taiwan precious and rare endemic species found in broadleaf forests up to 2000 m in elevation. Because the population is so small and their major habitats have been severely damaged, in 1996.
Swinhoe's Pheasant together with a Mikado Pheasant（Syrmaticus mikado）was included in Red Date Book which lists endangered species of animals of the world, thus giving international attention to these species.Swinhoe's Pheasant is totally wary, vigilant,shy,and yet scarce, so it is very difficult to trace this bird; there have been many limitations on investigating the ecological characteristics of this rare treasure.in recent years, the habitats of wild animals in Taiwan's mid-elevation mountain areas have experienced continued damage, seriously threatening the existence of this species.
The administration of the Yushan National Park has provided the necessary protection for this species and has begun researching the ecological characteristics, In 1985, Sheldon R.Severinghaus and Dr.Lucia Liu Severinghaus（of Academia Sinica）were asked to develop basic information and conduct investigations on the ecology of Swinhoe's Pheasant.In 1987, Professor Ou Pao-Luo, Chang Wan-Fu and others form the Zoology Department of Tunghai University researched the natural history of this species for one year. In 1992,the nature cinematographer, Wang Li-Yan, began a three-year project to produce a 16-mm film on Swinboe's Pheasant. This film explores the natural habitat by using long-term observations to produce a detailed and accurate record of the plumage, behavior, the habitat and environment, food, breeding and other life history and ecological characteristics. Besides research, consevration guidance, and environmental education, we hope that this film will help the general public become aware of the importance of the conservation work on Swinhoe's Pheasant.
Swinhoe's Pheasant is a large pheasant; the male is resplendent without equal-a real treasure; the female's entire plumage is reddish-brown covered with yellowish-brown arrowhead-shaped spots, forming excellent camouflage coloration for brooding the young. The bird actively seeks foods in the morning and near dusk, and at night roosts in trees.
This species is omnivorous, but mostly eats plants, including fiowers, fruits, moss, lichens, and grass seeds, and also termites and their eggs, locusts and other insects. When feeding, the birds alternate walking and stopping, occasionally pecking at some food at their sides or on the grond; they don't stay in one placc for very long.
The Swinhoe's Pheasant has an interesting and wonderful method for getting a mate; the male continuously bobs its head while tilting the body to show off the brilliant feathers. The male does this during its mating dance while circling the female; not stopping until the famale becomes excited and attracted. In addition, if the Swinhoe's Pheasant encounters a warning or show of force,it will fiercely flutter its wings in a unique display.
The female assumes the responsibility of taking care of the young, owing to excellent cryptic coloration, which makes their nests very difficult to discover. A clutch contains three to eight eggs, and incubation takes about twenty days. after hatching, the young stay with the mother as she goes about her activities, and after a period of time leave to begin a solitary life on their own.
This film contains the best photographic record of the life history of Swinhoe's Pheasant. It took three years in the making, and was accomplished by going deep into the mountain areas of Taiwan, to capture this secretive phessant. With the aid of a radio-tracking device, it was ouly in the final period of shooting after undergoing so many difficulties that a nest was discovered, and it was possible to record the valuable information on this aspect of the bird's behavior. It is hope that this film, which reports the ecological situation of Swinhoe's Pheasant, will pave the way for people form all walks of life to be able to cherish and protect this beautiful, endemic bird of Taiwan, so that these pheasant may forever grace the beautiful island of Taiwan.
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