Edwards's pheasant is a bird of the pheasant family Phasianidae and is endemic to the seasonal tropical forests of central Vietnam. It is named after the French ornithologist Alphonse Milne-Edwards and first described to science in 1896. The bird's length is 58–65 centimetres (23–26 in) and has red legs and facial skin. The male is mainly blue-black with a crest, and the female is a drab brown bird. The alarm call is a puk!-puk!-puk!.
Region
Central Vietnam, Annamite Range
Typical Environment
Primarily inhabits lowland to foothill evergreen and semi-evergreen forests with dense understory and bamboo thickets. It favors areas with closed canopy, abundant leaf litter, and proximity to streams or seepage zones. The species avoids open farmland and heavily degraded forests, persisting in relatively quiet, undisturbed tracts. Ground-dwelling habits keep it concealed in thick cover, where it forages along trails and forest edges.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Endemic to the lowland and foothill forests of central Vietnam, Edwards's pheasant is critically endangered and may persist only in tiny, fragmented populations. The male is a striking glossy blue-black with a short crest, while the female is warm brown and cryptic. It was named for French ornithologist Alphonse Milne-Edwards and is the focus of intensive captive-breeding and reintroduction planning. Its alarm call is a sharp, repeated puk!-puk!-puk!.
Lophura edwardsi – MHNT
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats followed by brief glides
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small family groups, keeping close to dense cover. Nests are placed on the ground in concealed sites, with the breeding season aligned to the onset of the rains. Males may display with posturing and soft calls within small territories.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal repertoire includes a soft, resonant crowing and clucking notes. The alarm call is a sharp, repeated puk!-puk!-puk! given when flushed or disturbed.
