Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) complete detail. Description of Blood pheasant – Ithaginis cruentus. Classification of Blood pheasant. Habit and habitat of Blood pheasant. They prefer scrub areas, coniferous and mixed forests. These birds are secretive, shy and suspicious of humans. Believed to be monogamous, but polygamy and polyandry reported. Sometime found in small groups or in pairs. They forages on the ground or from low bushes and low tree branches……….
They move their range depending on the seasons, and are found at higher elevations during the summer and move to lower elevations during the winter. They are good runners, and prefers to run rather than to fly, when disturbed. They are poor fliers, the flight pattern of Blood pheasant is short and direct. The underparts are light gray or white or dirty white, with some crimson shafts and paler………
Size of adult male Blood pheasant is between 40 to 48 cm and the length of female is between is between 38 to 42 cm. The body color of females is dull brown and often with some gray to the nape. The upperparts are dark ash or gray in color, with white shafts and green appearance, the coverts of the wings various tinged with green, with broad strokes of white through the length of each feather, the feathers of the chin deep crimson…………..
Nesting and breeding season is between April to June. The nest is located in fir and willow trees, , in shrubs, under rock, by fallen trees, or in tree holes near the ground.
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Distinctive Identification
Blood pheasant is Schedule – I bird, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Size of adult male Blood pheasant is between 40 to 48 cm and the length of female is between is between 38 to 42 cm. The length of the tail is between 13 to 19 cm. The weight of adult is between 400 to 700 g.
The upperparts are dark ash or gray in color, with white shafts and green appearance, the coverts of the wings various tinged with green, with broad strokes of white through the length of each feather, the feathers of the chin deep crimson.
The underparts are light gray or white or dirty white, with some crimson shafts and paler appearance. The belly and sides feathers are lance-shaped, of various length, the tips green with crimson margins and yellow appearance, collectively resembling dashes of blood scattered on the breast and belly.
The bill is short, strong and dark gray or black in color, and feathered between bill and eye. Legs are short, strong and bright red or orange in color.
Tail consists of 10 to 12 sub-equal feathers, shafts white, rounded, the ends whitish, coverts a rich crimson red.
Females are more uniformly colored. The body color of females is dull brown and often with some gray to the nape. Males are significantly larger than females.
Classification
Common Name – Blood pheasant
Local Lame – Chilme / Semo
Zoological Name – Ithaginis cruentus
Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Chordata
Class – Aves
Order – Galliformes
Family – Phasianidae
Subfamily – Phasianinae
Genus – Ithaginis
Subspecies – Ithaginis cruentus affinis
Conservational Status – Schedule – I, according to wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 and classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.
Distribution
They found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, China, Northern Burma, and Eastern Himalayas.
Habit and habitat
They prefer scrub areas, coniferous and mixed forests. They move their range depending on the seasons, and are found at higher elevations during the summer and move to lower elevations during the winter.
They are good runners, and prefers to run rather than to fly, when disturbed. They are poor fliers, the flight pattern of Blood pheasant is short and direct.
These birds are secretive, shy and suspicious of humans. Believed to be monogamous, but polygamy and polyandry reported. Sometime found in small groups or in pairs. They forages on the ground or from low bushes and low tree branches.
They feed on grain, grass seeds, fallen berries, shoots, tubers, termites, ants and insects. They prefer green foods and in the wild they eat mostly lichens.
The call of the Blood pheasant, described as a loud “Jijiji” or “glee-glee-keweee-keweee” or “si-si-si”.
Nesting and breeding season is between April to June. The nest is located in fir and willow trees, in shrubs, under rocks, by fallen trees, or in tree holes near the ground.
Click here to view State wise list of Indian state animals (symbols) – updated
Nest is made of dead twigs, and lined with leafy green twigs or bunches of conifer needles, dry leaves, thin tree roots and mosses, and pieces of bark.
Eggs 5 to 14, pink or yellowish white with dark brown or rufous speckles. Incubation of the eggs is mostly done by the female. Incubation period is between 27 to 30 days.
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