Identification:
The Silver Pheasant ( Lophura nycthemera) has five recognized subspecies:
- Lophura nycthemera nycthemera (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Lophura nycthemera beaulieuri Delacour, 1948
- Lophura nycthemera berliozi Delacour and Jabouille, 1928
- Lophura nycthemera beli (Oustalet, 1898)
- Lophura nycthemera annamensis (Ogilvie Grant, 1906)
Adult males of the five Silver Pheasant subspecies exhibit distinct characteristics. The length of their tail feathers decreases, white plumage diminishes, and black plumage increases with the southward progression of their distribution range. The black and white barring pattern is most pronounced in the endemic subspecies, the Edwards’s Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera annamensis), found in forests from the south-central to the northeast of the south of Vietnam. The tail feathers of L. n. beli are more white than those of L. n. berliozi, despite the two subspecies sharing similar external morphology.
Biology and Ecology:
The breeding season of the Silver Pheasant extends from late spring to late summer. Males typically display in February, building nests and laying eggs in April and May. Each clutch contains 5-10 eggs, with a creamy white or pale tan shell. Incubation lasts 25-26 days. Similar to other pheasant species, the Silver Pheasant’s diet includes insects, earthworms, seeds, and fruits found in the forest.
Depending on the subspecies, Silver Pheasants live in pairs, small groups of 3-5 individuals, or larger flocks of up to 10, as observed in the Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera nycthemera). Suitable habitats include primary evergreen forests, secondary forests, regenerating forests, and exploited, humid, and dense forests, at altitudes of 300m above sea level or higher. The species has been observed at elevations of 1200-1800m. They forage on the ground during the day and roost in trees at night.
Distribution:
Within Vietnam: From northern to southern regions.
Worldwide: Southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. The subspecies L. n. beli and L. n. annamemsis are endemic to Vietnam.
Value:
Silver Pheasants, especially the subspecies L. n. annamensis and L. n. beli, are highly valued for their aesthetic appeal and contribution to biodiversity.
Status:
The remaining population of Silver Pheasants is currently small, particularly the two endemic subspecies. All five subspecies are heavily and indiscriminately hunted. Habitat destruction and range reduction have caused a rapid decline in the wild population, making them increasingly rare. However, conservation efforts are underway in several nature reserves.
Conservation Status:
LR cd (Lower Risk – Conservation Dependent)
Conservation Measures:
The Silver Pheasant is listed in the Vietnam Red Book (1992, 2000) and protected under Decree 48/ND-CP (2002). Further research is needed on the current status and distribution of the subspecies, particularly the endemic ones of Vietnam, to develop effective conservation strategies for the Silver Pheasant in Vietnam.