Mountain peacock- pheasant

Scientific name: Polyplectron inopinatum

IUCN listed as: Near Threatened

Learn before you visit!

Here are some facts about the species – Discover what they eat, find out about their natural habitat, see what they like to do, and more… Set the reading style to suit you too, everyday speak or something aimed towards children.

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Everyday

Diet

The Mountain Peacock-Pheasant is an omnivorous bird that feeds on a variety of food items including fruits, seeds, insects, and small invertebrates. It forages on the forest floor, scratching and pecking at leaf litter to uncover food. This species plays a role in seed dispersal and insect population control, contributing to the health of its forest habitat.

Mountain Peacock-Pheasants eat fruits, seeds, bugs, and small animals they find on the ground. They scratch and peck at leaves to find their food hidden underneath.

Breeding

During the breeding season, which typically occurs in spring and early summer, Mountain Peacock-Pheasants engage in courtship displays to attract mates. Males perform elaborate dances, showcasing their iridescent plumage and making vocal calls. Females build nests on the ground in secluded areas, where they lay a small clutch of eggs, usually 2 to 4. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the eggs and caring for the chicks after they hatch.

These birds do special dances in spring and summer to find a mate. The mummy bird builds a nest on the ground and lays 2 to 4 eggs that hatch after a couple of weeks. Both mummy and daddy birds take turns keeping the eggs warm and feeding the baby birds when they hatch.

Habitat

The Mountain Peacock-Pheasant is native to montane forests of Southeast Asia, including regions in Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. They inhabit dense undergrowth and bamboo thickets at elevations ranging from 900 to 2,500 meters. These birds prefer areas with abundant cover and access to water sources, as they are adapted to a humid and temperate climate.

Mountain Peacock-Pheasants live in the mountains of Southeast Asia, where it’s cool with lots of bushes and bamboo. They like places with lots of plants and water where they can hide and find food. These birds are used to living in places with lots of rain and not too hot.

At the zoo

Mountain Peacock-Pheasants are rarely seen in zoos due to their endangered status and specific habitat requirements. When kept in captivity for breeding programmes, they require large aviaries with dense vegetation and natural substrates to mimic their forest environment. Zookeepers provide them with a varied diet that includes fruits, seeds, insects, and supplemental vitamins to ensure their health and reproductive success.

Mountain Peacock-Pheasants are hardly ever seen in zoos because they are in danger of disappearing. When they are kept in a zoo, they need a big home with lots of plants and natural stuff to make them feel like they’re in a real forest. Zookeepers give them fruits, seeds, bugs, and special vitamins to keep them healthy and help them have babies.

Behaviour

Mountain Peacock-Pheasants are shy and elusive birds, often remaining hidden in dense vegetation to avoid predators. They are primarily ground-dwelling but can fly short distances to escape danger. Males are known for their striking plumage adorned with iridescent scales, which they display during courtship rituals. These birds communicate through soft calls and occasional drumming sounds made by their wings.

Mountain Peacock-Pheasants like to stay hidden in bushes and leaves to stay safe from animals that might want to eat them. They walk on the ground but can fly short distances to get away from danger. Boys have beautiful feathers that shine in the sunlight, and they show them off when they dance to find a girlfriend. These birds talk to each other with soft sounds and sometimes make drumming noises with their wings.

Fun facts

  • Mountain Peacock-Pheasants have feathers that shimmer in different colours when the sun hits them.
  • They do special dances to show off their feathers and impress their friends.
  • These birds are great at hiding in the bushes and leaves to stay safe from animals that might try to catch them.
  • Mummy birds build their nests on the ground and lay a few eggs that hatch after a couple of weeks.
  • Mountain Peacock-Pheasants help plants grow by moving their seeds around when they eat fruits and move around.
  • Mountain Peacock-Pheasants have shiny feathers that change colour in the sunlight.
  • They dance to show off their feathers and make their friends think they’re really cool.
  • These birds are good at hiding in bushes and leaves so no animals can catch them.
  • Mummy birds make their homes on the ground and lay a few eggs that hatch after a few weeks.
  • Mountain Peacock-Pheasants help plants grow by moving their seeds around when they eat fruits and walk around.

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