Pristine A-line design, this cedar shingle roof bird house is topped with a copper ridge piece and solid copper steeple. Bottom is removable for easy clean out. 1-1/2 inches hole works for bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatch, swallows, titmouse and wrens.
On Sale! $96.50
The Brown Eared Pheasant, Crossoptilon mantchuricum, is endemic to the mountain forests of China.
Due to isolated population, deforestation and illegal hunting, the Brown Eared Pheasant is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix I of CITES.
Description:
The Brown-eared Pheasant is a large pheasant that is up to 39 inches (100 cm) long.
Its hair-like and beautiful glossy brown plumage is very ornamental. This pheasant has a black crown and long creamy white ear tufts. The bare facial skin and legs are a crimson-red, but the bird is most notable for its prominent white cheek tufts that extend from the base of the bill, somewhat resembling an up-turned moustache. The rump is light cream and the tail feathers have a black edging. These feathers are very wide and usually held high to form a lovely arch of soft fronds.
The males and the females are almost identical. The only difference is the size, as the female is generally smaller. But it is the spurs that are normally used to sex the birds. The male’s spurs are rounder at the base whereas the hens are more oval in shape.
Immature birds are very difficult to sex and many people choose DNA sexing as a way to conclusively identify the bird’s gender.
Diet:
Its natural diet consists mainly of roots, bulbs and plant matters.
Keeping and Breeding the Brown-eared Pheasant
These ornamental pheasants are fun birds and extremely easy to care for. They are generally calm and non-flighty birds that are easily tamed due to their friendly and curious nature. Some even learn tricks and love to show them off when presented with a willing audience. They will quickly eat out of your hand and follow you around. This being said, the males can become aggressive enough to attack humans during breeding season. Some males have aggressive tendencies year-round.
Housing / Accommodation:
These birds are very hardy and enjoy being out in the snow, rain, wind and sun. A large, well-drained and shady aviary is best suited for this species. Eared Pheasants love to dust and sun themselves.
They put their beaks to good use in aviaries digging out logs and plants. However, there are some plants that manage to survive. Non-toxic hedges or spreading plants are recommended.
More information on Housing
During breeding season, the male will often turn to one side and lower one wing to assert his dominance. A willing female may crouch down and make purring-like noises.
They usually start to breed in the second year. Breeding season stretches from April to June. The hen lays 5 to 8 eggs, the color of which is a pale stone green. She incubates the eggs for 26 to 28 days.
More information on Breeding.
Diet:
Their natural diet consists of leaves, shoots, seeds, insects and worms. Brown Eared love greens and they should be offered as often as possible. They should also be provided fresh fruit and vegetables. They may have some meal worms or other live food a few times a week and some grain with a few peanuts.