 PHOTO: KENNETH W. FINK |
PHOTO: KENNETH W. FINK |
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In Japan, their country of origin, some 700,000 Copper Pheasants are shot each year. They are bred in pheasant farms in quite large numbers. However, the Japanese, like aviculturists all over the world, have found them to be a difficult species due to the pugnacious habits of the males. They have solved the problem by keeping each bird separate and breeding through artificial insemination.
In spite of their numbers in Japan, the Copper Pheasant has proved to be the least prolific of the genus in captivity. There are five subspecies; the best known are the Scintillating S. s. scintillans, the Ijima S. s. ijimae, and the Soemmerring's S. s. soemmerringi. They are a handsome bird and the sun shining on a cock Scintillating Copper Pheasant when he is puffed up during the breeding season is spectacular. |
| Avicultural Notes | |
| Minimum aviary size | 200 sq. ft. (18.5 m2) |
| Status in captivity | Poor outside Japan |
| Full adult plumage | First year |
| Egg clutch size | 6 - 12 eggs |
| Incubation Period | 25 days |
| Feeding Habits | Normal pheasant diet |