Chrysolophus

Chrysolophus
	Male golden pheasant
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Tribe:	Phasianini
Genus:	Chrysolophus; J.E. Gray,1834
Type species
	Phasianus pictus; Linnaeus,1758
Species
	Golden pheasant,C. pictus; Lady Amherst's pheasant,C. amherstiae;

Chrysolophusis agenusof thepheasant familyofbirds.The genus name is fromAncient Greekkhrusolophos,"with golden crest".^[1]

These are species which have spectacularlyplumagedmales. Thegolden pheasantis native to westernChina,andLady Amherst's pheasanttoTibetand westernmostChina,but both have been widely introduced elsewhere. In places where self-supporting feral populations have become established, such asEngland,the two species will interbreed to producehybrids.

Despite the male's showy appearance, these birds are very difficult to see in their naturalhabitat,which is dense, dark, youngconiferforests with sparse undergrowth. Consequently, little is known of their behaviour in the wild.

They feed on the ground on grain, leaves andinvertebrates,but roost in trees at night. Whilst they can fly, they prefer torun:but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive wing sound.

Extant species

GenusChrysolophus–J.E. Gray,1834– two species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Golden pheasant Male Female	Chrysolophus pictus (Linnaeus, 1758)	WesternChina,introduced toCanada,theUnited States,Britainand elsewhere	Size: Habitat: Diet:	LC
Lady Amherst's pheasant Male Female	Chrysolophus amherstiae (Leadbeater, 1829)	Tibetand westernChina	Size: Habitat: Diet:	LC

References

^Jobling, James A (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names.London: Christopher Helm. p.105.ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.

[job90-1] Jobling, James A (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names.London: Christopher Helm. p.105.ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.

[1]