 PHOTO: MR. TATEMATSU |
PHOTO: MR. TATEMATSU |
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The most common of all the tragopans, both in captivity and in the wild, the Satyr is probably every pheasant aviculturist's dream. The adult cock bird has lovely crimson feathering interspersed with white ocelli which start small near the neck and become larger farther back towards the tail. The wonderful sight of a Satyr cock with lappets down and horns erect is quite unbelievable.
Its range is from Kumaon in India eastward, through Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan, to at least as far as the Nyam Jang Chu ~ valley. It normally lives around 8,000 to 10,000 feet (2,400 to ~r 3,000 meters) moving down to around 4,000 feet (1,200 meters) in winter. It lives in the thickly forested mountain areas. As the numbers and standards of Indian biologists increase, it is hoped that some serious field research into this species may take place. It has never been the subject of detailed research, bbb although Tony Lelliott, funded by the World Pheasant Associa- b r tion in 1978-79, included outline studies of the Satyr Tragopan when recording the species of pheasants in the Pipar area of the Annapurna Sanctuary. He successfully photographed a male in the wild and found a nest with a few eggs. |
| Avicultural Notes | |
| Minimum aviary size | 400 sq. ft. (37 m2) with grass base |
| Status in captivity | Several hundred - vulnerable |
| Full adult plumage | Second year |
| Egg clutch size | 2 - 4 eggs |
| Incubation Period | 28 days |
| Feeding Habits | Largely vegetarian with emphasis on fruit and berries | Special note | Great care in stock selection is required. Sadly, breeders both in the U. S. and in central Europe have mistakenly produced crossed birds (the hen is similar to the Temminck's Tragopan hen). Any hen that lays more than 12 eggs must be very suspect of exhibiting hybrid vigor. |