Temminck's Tragopan Pheasants

Temminck's Tragopan Pheasants

• Exhibition/pleasure
• 3-6 Eggs per clutch
• Breeding season April -June 
• Incubation period 28 days
• Known to be quite shy
• 2-3 pounds

Temminck's Tragopans have a large distribution area, compared to other members of the species. They are in northern India, Vietnam, Myanmar, and southern China.  Their natural habitat includes Dense forests, with lots of cover such as bamboo or rhododendron.

The male Temminck's Tragopan is one of the most beautiful birds in the world. His coloring is dominated by orange and crimson. He has exposed, blue facial skin that is surrounded by a "mask" of black feathers. He also has ocelli, or "eyes" similar to those on a peacock on his back and breast. His tail and beak are both short, and his legs are pink.

It is during the courtship display, however, that the male Temminck's Tragopan transforms into an absolutely stunning animal. Like all male tragopans, male Temminck's have fleshy horns that are usually hidden beneath the feathers of his head. During a frontal courtship display, those horns become visible.

The male Temminck's Tragopan also has a lappet or bib, that is usually tucked away and not immediately apparent. When he unfurls his impressively colored bib, he is a sight to behold. The lappet is marked with bright blue, crimson, and white, and is so large to hide the rest of the bird's body behind it, like a curtain.

The frontal courtship display is fairly rare, so there are many more images of the male Temminck's Tragopan in its usual state.

The female is much drabber in color, with grey and brown dappling all over.