Lady Amherst Pheasants
The
Lady Amherst Pheasant, like the
Golden Pheasant and
Silver Pheasant, is endemic to many parts of Asia - primarily Southwest China and Myanmar. There are declining feral populations in Europe that are self-sustaining.
Amherst Pheasants are closely related to the
Golden Pheasant, and these two breeds can hybridize and produce fertile offspring, though it is not recommended to thin the bloodline of any pure bred pheasants.
The adult male plumage of the
Lady Amherst Pheasant is brilliantly colorful in its full breeding plumage. The males can be between 100-120 cm long with the majority of that length being their long and colorfully barred tail feathers. Females are a bit smaller and less colorful with mottle olive-brown plumage and some fine gray and brown barring.
Amherst Pheasants are polygamous and several hens can be kept with one male. The female
Lady Amherst Pheasant will usually lay in the Spring depending on the climate, and she will lay between 6-8 creamy buff colored eggs per clutch that will incubate for approximately 23 days.
Lady Amherst Pheasants are an excellent exotic bird breed to raise in captivity. Like the
Golden Pheasant,
Amherst Pheasants are fairly calm and very hardy, and they will do well in most climates with some protection from inclement weather. They eat a mixture of different grains and enjoy being fed fruit, vegetable scraps, and mealworms or other insects. It is also helpful to plant some shrubbery and small trees for coverage in their aviary or captive area.
** These pheasants were hatched in the previous Spring season and are under one year of age. Most pheasants will not color out fully until their second year of life. **
