Blue Eared-pheasant
Crossoptilon auritum
Embed This Widget
Add the script tag and a data attribute to embed this widget.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<div data-birdfyi="bird" data-slug="crossoptilon-auritum"></div>Embed via iframe for maximum compatibility.
<iframe src="https://birdfyi.com/iframe/bird/crossoptilon-auritum/" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%" loading="lazy"></iframe>Paste this URL in WordPress, Medium, or any oEmbed-compatible platform.
https://birdfyi.com/bird/crossoptilon-auritum/Add a dynamic SVG badge to your README or docs.
[](https://birdfyi.com/bird/crossoptilon-auritum/)Use the native HTML custom element.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/birdfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>
<birdfyi-bird slug="crossoptilon-auritum"></birdfyi-bird>About
A large Phasianidae pheasant (~1.79 kg) of high coniferous and mixed forests in central China. Slate-blue plumage contrasts with crimson legs and long, drooping white ear tufts. Gregarious; flocks excavate roots and bulbs. Adapts to high elevations up to 4,000 m in summer. Least Concern.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 59.1 cm | 23.3 in |
| Weight | 1785.0 g | 62.96 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Predominantly blue-grey with darker blue primaries; black crown; long white ear tufts; graduated tail with white bases and dark-tipped glossy black outer feathers; red facial skin. Sexes alike.
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Resident of forest, scrub, and alpine meadow in central and eastern China (Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan, Shaanxi), at 2,000–4,000 m.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; digs for tubers, roots, and invertebrates; eats seeds, berries, and shoots in montane forests and scrub.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 24-28 days.
Clutch Size
6-12
Sound
Song
Loud, resonant 'gaa-gaa-GAAK' calls with slight bugling quality; Sichuan-Qinghai mountain species. Flock communication noisy. Alarm is loud explosive barking; white ear tufts raised during calling.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes (Gamebirds) |
| Family | Phasianidae (Pheasants & Partridges) |
| Genus | Crossoptilon |
| Species | Crossoptilon auritum |
Distribution
Blue Eared-pheasant has been recorded in 5 countries.
{# Distribution Map — simplified SVG world map with highlighted countries. Expects `country_codes` variable: list of ISO alpha-2 codes (e.g. ["US", "CA", "MX"]). Uses Alpine.js to toggle classes on country paths. #}countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Blue Eared-pheasant eat?
Where does the Blue Eared-pheasant live?
Is the Blue Eared-pheasant endangered?
How does the Blue Eared-pheasant nest?
What does the Blue Eared-pheasant sound like?
How big is the Blue Eared-pheasant?
What order and family does the Blue Eared-pheasant belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Phasianidae family