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Lvweihongzhi (in Chinese), the Chinese monal pheasant ( lophophorus
Lhuysii, Phasianus versicolor) is categorized as an endangered species
(IUCN as VU C2a ), the largest of the Monals, with the alias of
fritillaria pheasant, it belongs to the Phasianidae family of
Galliformes order.
Chinese monal pheasant ( lophophorus Lhuysii, Phasianus versicolor) is normally recorded between 3,300 and 4,500 m. Surveys at Baoxing in Sichuan suggests that this species may take several years to reach maturity and may not breed every year.
Chinese monal pheasant ( lophophorus Lhuysii, Phasianus versicolor) distribute mainly in western Sichuan, alpine meadows mountain forests
area, an elevation of 3,000 to 5,000 meters, and at the adjacent parts of east Tibet, south-east Qinghai, south Gansu and possibly north-west Yunnan. In winter it moves to lower mountains at an elevation of about 2,000 meters. It mainly feeds on botanic radicels and corms.
This bird has a small population which is continuing to decline because of ongoing habitat degradation and hunting within an already fragmented range.
In artificial breeding conditions, Chinese monal pheasant ( lophophorus
Lhuysii, Phasianus versicolor) lays eggs in April and May, with 3 to 5 eggs per brood.
In Fengtongzhai, Baoxin, it just in proccessing of artifical breeding.
If you plan to watch Chinese monal pheasants in western sichuan such as
Baoxing Fengtongzhai, Wenchuan, Wolong etc, please e-mail us.
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