Factfile
Where they live
The island of Palawan in the Philippines
Habitat
Rainforest
Size
18-22 inches
Weight
538-625 g
Lifespan
10 - 15 years
Threats
Human disturbance, habitat loss
Did you know...
- The bright blue spots on their tail resemble and are to scare away predators
- Is depicted in the official seal of the city of Puerto Princesa.
- The island of Palawan where this bird is found is actually a wildlife refuge
More about pheasants...
The Palawan peacock pheasant is a medium-sized pheasant, endemic to only one island in the Philippines. Their diet consists of a variety of seeds, grains, nuts, fruit, leaves, roots, slugs, worms and insects. Just like peacocks, they are sexually dimorphic. Males have a long and pointed metallic blue crest and tail feathers with ocelli (markings that resemble eyes). Females are a very dull dark brown with shorter, flat crests.
In the wild the breeding is from March until August. Nests are found both on the ground and in trees, where females will lay between two to five eggs. Females incubate the eggs for 18-20 days. Males do not help incubate the eggs, but they do help feed and raise the chicks who are dependent on their parents until 10 weeks of age.
