Red Golden Pheasants

Red Golden Pheasant

**We apologize but this breed currently cannot ship to Texas**

• Exhibition/Pleasure 
• 8-12 Eggs per clutch
• Breeding season March-April
• Incubation period  22-23 days
• Docile, intellegent
• 2.5 to 3.5 pounds

Red Goldens are a favorite of backyard aviculturists because they are hardy and quite easy to raise - not to mention that the males are absolutely stunning in appearance. The bright, beautiful plumage of the male Red Golden pheasant is among the most colorful and attractive of all the world’s birds. They are bred and raised all over the world.  

The Red Golden Pheasant is one of two species that are known as Ruffed Pheasants because the males have a “cape” that they spread around their necks and faces during courtship. Males have a bright yellow crest, that may have a slight tinge of red, just at the tip; the feathers of the cape are orangey, but outlined in a bluish-black; the upper back is green and the lower back and rump are golden; the breast and under-wings are scarlet; the wings themselves are blue and red;  the tail is black with cinnamon spotting.  Males do not develop their bright colors until they are two years old, but are often fertile during the first year.

Females and juveniles are much less brightly colored. Hens are brown or buff with darker brown barring. To an inexpert eye, it’s hard to believe the males and females are of the same species, but so it is with most varieties of pheasants. The legs and bills of both sexes are yellow.

Their original natural range and habitat is the mountainous region of central China was the original, native habitat of the Golden Pheasant. This is usually called the Red Golden when bred and raised in captivity. In part due to the isolated and harsh terrain of this area, little is known about the habits of wild Golden Pheasants. While the plumage of the male Red Golden is so bright that it is hard to believe it would ever be difficult to see, in fact, in its natural habitat these birds are amazingly camouflaged. This species is most comfortable on the ground but can fly. They are much clumsier in the air than on the ground.

Diet: In the wild, red golden pheasants enjoy eating seeds, shoots, berries, leaves, and insects. A commercial diet of game bird feed is recommended as well.

Miscellaneous Notes: Red Goldens are naturally birds of the forest and require quite a lot of shade during the summer. The sun will cause the brilliant plumage of the males to fade somewhat.