Are Mikado Pheasants Good Pets?

Mikado Pheasants are long-tailed Pheasants belonging to the genus Syrmaticus, that roam amongst bamboo and shrubs in central Taiwan. The bird is considered the unofficial National bird of Taiwan. The bird is depicted in the 100-dollar bill in the New Taiwanese Dollar.

Mikado Pheasants- In a Glimpse:

Everything About Mikado Pheasants:

Scientific Classification:

Physical Appearance:

Sexual dimorphism is present in the species. The male pheasants are as long as 70 cm including tails whereas females are about 45-50 cm long. Males are blue-violet in colour and have white stripes on their wings and tails. Females are brown and they have brown and white quills.

The long and stripped feathers of males are used in the traditional headdresses of many tribes in Taiwan. The pheasants can weigh up to 2.5-3 lbs. Females have a red wattle, although it appears paler than the males. The Mikado Pheasants are also termed as “Emperor Pheasants”.

Lifespan:

In the wild, the bird can live up to 8-10 years. But in captivity, they can live up to 16 years.

Range and Habitat:

Mikado Pheasants are endemic to Taiwan, especially, in the mountainous region of central Taiwan. Dense shrubs, bamboo gardens and grassy terrain with conifers are their preferred habitat. They are often found in central and southern Taiwan, at an elevation of 2000-3000m above sea level.

Behaviour:

The pheasants often arrive in light rain or after a heavy shower when the mist conceals them. The pheasants are often solitary but can be found in pairs as well. The bird is usually associated with humans where the human tends to feed them. If they are disturbed, they often take shelter in the deep vegetation instead of fluttering away in panic. If desperate, the bird often flies a short distance.

The males are territorial with a range of 200-400 meters in radius. Both genders perform a wing-whirring display and during breeding season the male runs laterally with body expanded and tail fanned.

Mikado Pheasants are crepuscular, which means they are mostly active during twilight, especially in 5-6 a.m. or 6-7 p.m., which is the best time to watch them. However, this time may vary according to seasonal variations.

Also Read: Northern Plains Gray Langurs: 6 Interesting Facts

Diets: 

The pheasants often come out to forage for foods which often consist of fruits, leaves, vegetation, seeds and invertebrates which are similar to chicken.

Vocalization:

There are primarily 6 types of vocalization techniques that Mikado Pheasants show.

Reproduction:

The mating season of Mikado Pheasants is scheduled between March and June. The pheasants make their home with dead branches, leaves, dry grass or with their feathers in tree holes or depressions under rocks.

Females usually lay between 3 and 8 creamy-coloured eggs at a time and the females are solely responsible for the incubation. The eggs take around 28 days to hatch. Once the young are born, they take at least six months to be independent.

Importance:

People sometimes keep the pheasants as a pets. The gorgeous bird is not raised for its eggs or meat due to its scarcity. Mikado Pheasants are usually known as ornamental birds. The feathers of males are usually used in headdresses of local tribes. 

Some people also breed the bird due to its appearance, hardiness and chatty nature. Many enthusiasts also enjoy the unique vocalization of the bird.

Threats:

At present, there are around 10,000 Mikado Pheasants in the wild. The major threat to the bird is heavy hunting, but right now it is not a serious threat like it used to be.

Predators:

The main predators of Mikado Pheasants are dogs, foxes, wolves, owls and hawks.

Also Read: Bonnet Macaque: 6 Fascinating Facts About the Endangered

Conservation Status:

The bird is listed as “Near Threatened” in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES.

Are Mikado Pheasants a Good Pet?

The Mikados are well established in captivity. They are lovely birds to keep and their vocalizations are pleasant to listen to. They also become bold and friendly if you can provide plenty of vegetation and food. They are neither shy nor noisy, their vocalization can transform your bad mood into a good one. They are not only amusing or interesting but also easy to care of. 

Housing for Mikados:

A good size aviary for these pheasants will be 200 sq ft. It should be well-planted and a pen (4’*4’*4’) should be provided as shelter. 

Mikados can be successfully bred in pairs or trios but you should provide the hen with plenty of dense vegetation during the breeding season. 

Are Mikado Pheasants Good for small-scale farming?

Mikados are not raised for meats or eggs, rather they are raised for ornamental uses or enjoyment. If you are farming Mikados on a small scale then you can sell them for pets but that is also not easy because the bird needs a lot of green space. 

Pet culture is widely popular in the urban world and you rarely see much green space in urban that the pheasant requires. But if you have an excellent network to sell them or to export them, you can farm them and generate good revenue from it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Also Read: Formosan Rock Macaque: The Only Native Primate in Taiwan

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