Identification:
Adult males have a deep blue plumage. The crest on the nape is black-blue. The back, wings, and tail are black, with steel-blue edges on the feathers. The two central tail feathers are pointed and elongated, becoming progressively shorter in the subsequent pairs toward the sides. The bare skin around the face is purplish-red, forming small lobes on either side of the forehead. The eyes are orange-red, the beak is yellowish-green or horn-colored, and the legs are purplish-red. Juvenile males near maturity have dark brown plumage, with many areas displaying thin, off-white streaks; the head, crest, neck, and chest are black-blue. Adult females lack a prominent crest. Their plumage is generally chestnut brown. Other features are similar to those of the male.
Biology and Ecology:
In captivity, birds lay eggs in June, with each clutch containing 5-7 eggs. The eggshells are cream or reddish-pink with small white spots. The incubation period is 25 days. Similar to other pheasant species, the Black-crested Pheasant feeds on insects, seeds, and fruits found in the forest.
The Black-crested Pheasant was first discovered in the world in humid evergreen forests on limestone mountains between Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces. A juvenile male was found in September 1990, in secondary forest at an altitude of 50-200m in the southern region of Ha Tinh province (Ky Anh district) and possibly in the Khe Net area (Tuyen Hoa, Quang Binh). Like other pheasant species, the Black-crested Pheasant forages on the ground during the day and roosts in trees at night. Other pheasant species encountered in the same habitat include the Silver Pheasant, Golden-crested Argus, White-crested Pheasant, Chestnut-necklaced Partridge, and Red Junglefowl.
Distribution:
- In Vietnam: Historical distribution was in Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces. New distribution areas were discovered in the southern part of Ha Tinh province (Khe Net forest area, the upper reaches of the Gianh River in Ky Anh district), and Quang Binh province (Tuyen Hoa district).
- Worldwide: According to Delacour et al. (1931), it may also be present in Laos, along the border near the aforementioned distribution areas.
Value:
The Black-crested Pheasant is endemic to Vietnam, very rare, and has a limited distribution, making it important for global biodiversity conservation.
Status:
The historical distribution of the Black-crested Pheasant was located in areas that experienced prolonged and fierce warfare in Vietnam. The forests were severely damaged and continued to be heavily exploited, along with excessive hunting. Consequently, this species was nearly extinct, and it has not been rediscovered since 1990. The areas where the original samples were collected have also seen severe forest degradation.
Classification:
CR A1b, c, d B1+ 2c, e C2a.
Conservation Measures:
It has been included in the Vietnam Red Book (1992, 2000), the IUCN Red List (1996, 2000), Decree 18/HDBT (1992), Decree 48/ND-CP (2002), and Appendix I of the CITES convention. Further research and investigation are needed to clarify the boundaries of its distribution, the current status, and the remaining population size to propose suitable conservation and restoration measures.