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Description of the species
Elliot’s pheasant, or the white-bellied pheasant (lat. Syrmaticus ellioti), is a member of the pheasant family. It inhabits eastern China south of the Yangtze, occurring in subtropical forests, secondary habitats, and even cultural landscapes. The species name honors the American ornithologist Daniel Giraud Elliot.
Males reach a total length of about 80 cm, of which roughly 42–47 cm is the tail; wing length 230–240 mm, mass 1.0–1.3 kg. Females are smaller: body length about 50 cm, tail 17–19.5 cm, wing 210–225 mm, mass 800–900 g.
Vocalization
The vocal repertoire is limited. Alarm and excitement calls include sharp but not loud squeals and descending series of whistles, along with deep clucking and chuckling notes.
Range
The range is confined to southeastern China: from eastern Guizhou and western/southern Hunan across Guangxi and Guangdong to Jiangxi, and south of Hubei and Anhui to Zhejiang and Fujian. Originally known from Jiangxi, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Fujian, its primary habitats are now highly fragmented and numbers have declined. By using secondary habitats within cultural landscapes, the species has expanded westward. The population is estimated at over 100,000 individuals and is assessed by the IUCN as Near Threatened; ongoing deforestation is the principal threat.
Lifestyle
Elliot’s pheasant occupies subtropical deciduous and mixed forests with dense canopy, less often shrub thickets, at elevations of 200–1,900 m a.s.l. In cultural landscapes it utilizes secondary habitats such as dense stands of bamboo, ferns, and shrubs, and can even occur in planted forests and meadows.
Breeding
Breeding biology is known chiefly from captivity: display begins from late January to mid-February. Territorial rights are advertised by loud wing-flapping; males showcase the back and tail feathers. Clutches usually contain 6–8 light or reddish-beige eggs about 42 × 33 mm. Incubation lasts approximately 25 days.
Buy Elliot’s pheasant: ordering and shipping
You can purchase Elliot’s pheasants from our farm. Delivery across Ukraine. To check availability and delivery, contact us via Viber, Telegram, or by phone 050-182-27-27.
Common questions
How does Elliot’s pheasant differ from Reeves’s and the silver pheasant?
Elliot’s pheasant shows a distinctive pattern with paler underparts; Reeves’s has an extremely long boldly barred tail with high-contrast banding, while the silver pheasant has a light-and-dark “silvered” palette.
Can several males be kept together?
Conflicts are likely in the breeding season—house males separately or provide a larger area with visual barriers.
What is the minimum temperature for keeping them?
They tolerate cold given dry litter and wind protection. In severe frosts, use insulated shelter and avoid dampness.
How many eggs are in a clutch and how long is incubation?
Typically 6–8 eggs; incubation is around 25 days.