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Description of the species
The Mikado pheasant (lat. Syrmaticus mikado) - a member of the pheasant family - is endemic to the mountains of Taiwan and is regarded as one of the country’s unofficial national symbols. The name refers to the Japanese “mikado” (emperor); the Chinese name 帝雉 translates as “imperial pheasant.” Males measure about 87.5-88 cm in total length, with 49-53 cm of that being the tail, and weigh up to 1300 g. Male plumage is purplish with a bluish metallic sheen, with black patches on the throat and breast showing a steely-blue gloss; a bold white wing bar is present and the primaries are brown. The tail is dark brown with broad white transverse bands; the undertail coverts are black with whitish tips. Legs are dark gray; the maxilla is black with a yellowish tip and the mandible is yellow.
Females are clearly smaller (up to 53 cm; tail 17-22 cm; mass up to 1015 g). The head and neck are olive-brown with a reddish-brown “cap”; wing coverts show black spots with olive edging. The median rectrices are reddish-brown with alternating pale and gray-brown bars, while the outer tail feathers have blackish-white tips. Chin and throat are yellowish-white; the breast is olive-gray.
Range
Endemic to Taiwan’s montane regions. The species typically occurs between roughly 1800 and 3300 m above sea level, mainly in conifer-broadleaf forests and along forest edges, including areas in and around Yushan National Park.
Breeding
The breeding season runs from March to June. Females usually lay 3-8 eggs; museum specimens of Syrmaticus mikado eggs are documented.
Status and conservation
Assessed by the IUCN as Near Threatened. Primary threats include habitat loss from landslides and the development of transport infrastructure. A pair of Mikado pheasants and the Yushan landscape are depicted on Taiwan’s 1000-dollar banknote.
Buy a Mikado pheasant: ordering and shipping
You can purchase Mikado pheasants from our farm. Delivery across Ukraine. To check availability and delivery, contact via Viber, Telegram, or by phone 050-182-27-27.
Common questions
How does the Mikado pheasant differ from Swinhoe’s pheasant
The Mikado male is dark purplish-blue with a bold white wing bar and strong white tail banding, whereas Swinhoe’s shows a different high-contrast pattern with blue, red, and white accents.
At what elevation does the species do best
In the wild it occurs around 1800-3300 m. In captivity, provide a cool, well-ventilated aviary with shelter and dry litter.
How many eggs are in a clutch
Typically 3-8 eggs in a season (March-June).