Birdsong field guide
Silver Pheasant
Lophura nycthemera
The Silver Pheasant is a large, sexually dimorphic galliform recognized for the male's striking white-and-black plumage and long, elegant tail. It is a secretive inhabitant of mountainous forests across Southeast Asia.
What it sounds like
A series of loud, sharp whistles and harsh cackles; males also produce a characteristic vibrating drum-like sound using their wings.
Field notes
- Males possess a dramatic white tail that can reach up to 30 inches in length, adorned with fine black patterns.
- There are 15 recognized subspecies, varying significantly in size and the density of black markings on the male's white feathers.
- During courtship, the male inflates its fleshy red facial wattles and performs a rapid 'wing-whirring' display to attract a mate.
- Females are cryptically colored in olive-brown to provide camouflage while nesting on the forest floor, contrasting sharply with the flamboyant males.
- Silver Pheasants are notably more aggressive than other pheasant species, often defending their territory vigorously against intruders.
Habitat
Montane forests, bamboo thickets, and dense scrublands, typically at elevations between 600 and 2,000 meters.
Range
Southern China and mainland Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Similar & commonly confused birds
Bornean Crested FirebackLophura ignitaBornean Crestless FirebackLophura pyronotaBulwer's PheasantLophura bulweriEdwards's PheasantLophura edwardsiKalij PheasantLophura leucomelanosMalayan Crested FirebackLophura rufaMalayan Crestless FirebackLophura erythrophthalmaSalvadori's PheasantLophura inornata
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