Grey peacock pheasant subspecies and distribution
Grey peacock pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) is also known as Burmese peacock pheasant. It belongs to the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is the national bird of Myanmar. They are distributed in Northeast India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Southwest China, Vietnam and Thailand.There are three recognized subspecies. The subspecies P. bicalcaratum bakeri occurs in the hilly regions of Northeast India, Bhutan and Myanmar. In India, they are found in Sikkim and Manipur. P. bicalcaratum bicalcaratum and P. bicalcaratum ghigii are the other two subspecies.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has evaluated and categorized these birds as of "Least Concern".
These are fairly large birds with an elongated grey peahen-like tail. Polyplectron bicalcaratum species measure 60 to 80 cms in length and weigh 500 to 1000 grams in weight. Males are larger than the females. The plumage is greyish brown with greenish eyespots. These birds inhabit the dense green forests in the hilly areas. They feed on insects, worms, berries, fruits and seeds. Their breeding season is April-May. The males are believed to be monogamous.
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| Indian birds - Grey peacock-pheasant - Polyplectron bicalcaratum |
| Biological classification | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Galliformes |
| Family: | Phasianidae |
| Subfamily: | Argusianinae |
| Genus: | Polyplectron |
| Species: | P. bicalcaratum |
| Binomial name: | Polyplectron bicalcaratum |
| Distribution: | Northeast India and Southeast Asia (excluding Indochina and Malayan Peninsula |
| Feeding habits: | seeds, termites, fruits and invertebrates; |
| IUCN status listing: | Least Concern |
Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polyplectron_bicalcaratum_-Birmingham_Nature_Centre,_Cannon_Hill_Park,_England-8a.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/4469612433/
Author: Tony Hisgett | License: CC BY 2.0
Current topic: Grey peacock pheasant - Polyplectron bicalcaratum.