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Description of the species
The Nepal pheasant (lat. Lophura leucomelanus), also known as the black lophura/kalij pheasant, is a member of the pheasant family. Its range covers South Asia—especially the Himalayan foothills—and extends into Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Thailand. In the wild it inhabits forests and scrub; it was introduced to Europe in the 18th century. Compared with larger species such as Reeves’s pheasant, it is not among the biggest pheasants.
Plumage: males are black with a purplish metallic sheen; the lower back shows feathers with pale edging. Sexual dimorphism: females are gray-brown with a shorter tail.
Range
Occurs across the Himalayan foothills and adjacent regions of South Asia; it has also been introduced to the Hawaiian Islands. Within its native range it occupies forest habitats and dense thickets.
Behavior and lifestyle
Activity: spends most of the time on the ground, but flushes rapidly into flight when threatened.
Wintering: shelters in dense cover during winter to avoid wind and cold.
Breeding
Nesting: females can lay more than 15 eggs and typically incubate the clutch on their own.
Husbandry
Nepal pheasants are hardy and undemanding, but in aviaries they should not be kept with other galliforms: during the breeding season they may become aggressive, so separate sections and visual barriers are recommended.
Buy a Nepal (Kalij) pheasant: ordering and shipping
You can purchase Nepal 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 the Nepal pheasant differ from Reeves’s pheasant?
It is smaller overall and darker in coloration; Reeves’s pheasant is much larger with an extremely long, boldly barred tail and a higher-contrast pattern.
Can it be kept with other galliform birds?
Not recommended: aggression can occur in the breeding season. Use separate sections and provide ample space with cover.
How many eggs are in a clutch?
Females may lay more than 15 eggs and usually incubate the clutch themselves.
How does it behave in winter?
It remains in dense vegetation, using natural cover to shelter from wind and cold.