The bronze-tailed peacock-pheasant is also known as the Sumatran peacock-pheasant. It is an Indonesian bird.
Region
Sumatra, Indonesia
Typical Environment
Occurs in montane evergreen and mossy forests along the Barisan Range. Prefers dense undergrowth, bamboo thickets, and steep ravines where it can remain concealed. Most records are from primary forest but it may persist in lightly logged tracts with intact understory. Typically stays close to the forest floor and along stream edges while foraging.
Altitude Range
600–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the Sumatran peacock-pheasant, this shy forest bird is found only on Sumatra. Males court by fanning a tail adorned with metallic bronze-green eye-spots. It forages quietly on the forest floor, scratching through leaf litter for food, and is more often heard than seen. It is rarely kept in captivity and requires cool, humid montane conditions.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories on the forest floor. Courtship involves the male fanning and vibrating the tail to display its ocelli while circling the female. Nests are simple ground scrapes hidden in dense cover; clutches are small, often 1–2 eggs. The female undertakes most incubation, with the male guarding nearby.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, low whistles and hoots that carry through dense understory. Males also produce rustling or drumming sounds with their wings during display. Calls are sporadic, often at dawn and dusk.
