The Golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) is a colorful bird native to forests in mountainous areas of China. The genus name of this bird comes from Ancient Greek khrusolophos which means "with golden crest", and pictus - Latin for "painted" from pingere, "to paint".
The adult male of this species is unmistakable with its golden crest and rump and bright red body. The deep orange "cape" can be spread in display, appearing as an alternating black and orange fan that covers all of the face except its bright yellow eye with a pinpoint black pupil. The female is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage. The female's breast and sides are barred buff and blackish brown, and the abdomen is plain buff. She has a buff face and throat. Some abnormal females may later in their lifetime get some male plumage. Both males and females have yellow legs and yellow bills.
Golden pheasants are found in western China. They prefer dense conifer forests in mountainous regions but can also be found in mixed forests with thick shrubs.
Golden pheasants are sedentary and generally solitary birds; outside of the breeding season, they prefer to stay singly. These are mainly terrestrial birds. While they can fly clumsily in short bursts, they prefer to run and spend most of their time on the ground. They feed on the ground but roost in trees at night. During winter, flocks often forage close to human settlements at the edge of the forest, taking primarily wheat leaves and seeds. If startled, they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed and with a distinctive wing sound. Golden pheasants communicate with a wide range of calls that are used in different situations. Their main call sounds as 'chack chack' and in the breeding season males produce a metallic call.
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