Swinhoe's pheasant, also known as the Taiwan blue pheasant, is a bird of the pheasant subfamily in the fowl family Phasianidae. It is endemic to Taiwan. Along with the Mikado pheasant and Taiwan blue magpie, two other Taiwan endemics, Swinhoe's pheasant is sometimes considered an unofficial national symbol for Taiwan, as it bears the colours of the national flag.
Region
Taiwan
Typical Environment
Found in mid- to high-elevation broadleaf and mixed evergreen forests, especially with dense understory, bamboo thickets, and edges near streams. It favors lightly disturbed forest, old logging tracks, and forest margins where cover and foraging opportunities are abundant. Birds often use paths and ridgelines at dawn and dusk, retreating to thicker cover during the day. Protected areas such as Yushan and Taroko National Parks hold key populations.
Altitude Range
200–2300 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Swinhoe's pheasant is endemic to Taiwan and is sometimes treated as an unofficial national symbol because its bold blue, white, and red tones echo the colors of the national flag. Males are striking with a white crest and wing patches, while females are cryptically brown and heavily barred for camouflage. The species is protected in several Taiwanese reserves and is often encountered along quiet forest trails.
Male Swinhoe's pheasant with wattles fully engorged for display
Juvenile Swinhoe's pheasant
Female Swinhoe's pheasant
Egg - MHNT
Temperament
secretive and wary
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with explosive flush; mostly terrestrial
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly, in pairs, or in small family parties. Courtship includes tail fanning, strutting, and soft calls by the male. Nests are shallow ground scrapes hidden in dense cover, with clutches usually of 4–8 eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include clear whistles, clucks, and harsh cackles, especially at dawn and dusk. Males also produce audible wing-whirr displays during territorial or courtship bouts.
