Endangered, rare pheasants found in Vietnam's Pù Hu special-use forest
Five silver pheasants and grey peacock-pheasants, endangered and rare members of the pheasant family, have been found in the Pù Hu special-use forest in Thanh Hóa province, north-central Vietnam.
The management board of the Pù Hu Nature Reserve (Thanh Hóa) is carrying out a project to survey, assess and conserve endangered and rare pheasant species at the reserve, including the silver pheasant and the grey peacock-pheasant.
The project aims to help stabilize and grow populations of these rare birds and preserve their gene pool over the long term. It is also meant to encourage local residents to take greater responsibility for conserving biodiversity and protecting wildlife.
So far, the team has found five silver pheasants and grey peacock-pheasants in sub-compartment 56 of the Pù Hu special-use forest.
Silver pheasant.
According to the reserve's management board, Vietnam is home to 20 species of the pheasant family (Phasianidae). Of these, 11 are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book and 7 on the global Red List.
Grey peacock-pheasant.
The grey peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) is the rarest of the galliform birds recorded at the Pù Hu Nature Reserve. The species is listed in both the Vietnamese and international Red Lists.
The silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) is a fairly large bird; the male's distinctive plumage makes it easy to recognize. It feeds on corn, rice, wild fruit and other foods.
The Pù Hu Nature Reserve management board found five silver pheasants and grey peacock-pheasants.
In Thanh Hóa, the grey peacock-pheasant has been seen in the Pù Hu Nature Reserve, in areas far from human settlements, in groups of three to four birds.
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