Lewis Silver Pheasant

[Elma Fud]

Lying in bed reading a book this evening. I could here the usual local birds singing away. I become aware of a bird song that I wasn't used too. It sounded like a grey partridge. The funny thing is that I live in the middle of a town. I managed to focus in on this bird and realised that I didn't have a clue what it was.

I called to the old girl to fetch my binoculars so I could get a better look.

 

Doing a little research on Google I found that the bird was a Lewis Silver Pheasant.

http://membres.lycos.fr/tragopan/english/e...ation_lewis.htm

As far as I'm aware there is no one keeps these birds locally.

 

My question is how common are these birds?

 

Where do they come from?

 

Any info would greatly received.

 

EF

[M ROBSON]

We used to have a pair in our collection. The cock was a nasty ****** with huge spurs, he'd attack you given the slightest chance, they make quite a few wierd sounds.

 

Along with Monal, Golden and Lady Amherst.

 

Mark.

Edited July 12, 2005 by M ROBSON

[Elma Fud]

Thanks Mark.

 

I take it from reading your mail that these birds are usually kept as pets and not released as a sporting bird?

 

EF

[Fisherman Mike]

Ive kept a few different Pheasants, (Reeves, Lady Amhurst, Golden) but never a Silver.

 

They originate from Thailand and Malaysia I believe and are ornamental birds.

 

I think lewis developed a strain through cross breeding but dont quote me on that.

 

Its probably an escape from a collection nearby or private keeper.

 

NICE birds

 

FM.

 

By the way a Silver you can buy for 30 to 50 quid a lewis will set you back 3 to 4 hundred.

 

SO CATCH IT! :thumbs:

[dunganick]

there is a pair of them on the shoot i work on, well there must be more now as they have been there for years, but there is a condition put on them that you have to pay £80 if you shoot one, a costly mistake. never seen them myself

[HAMMY]

F.M. I expect you know more about it than me, but the Silver are common over here, in Southern and Eastern China at Moderate Altitudes apparently, haven't seen any myself yet but I think I'm a bit too far North according to my Chinese bird book. Interestingly there are 8 wild varieties in China and Taiwan.

 

Hammy

Edited July 13, 2005 by HAMMY

[Fisherman Mike]

F.M. I expect you know more about it than me, but the Silver are common over here, in Southern and Eastern China at Moderate Altitudes apparently, haven't seen any myself yet but I think I'm a bit too far North according to my Chinese bird book. Interestingly there are 8 wild varieties in China and Taiwan.

 

Hammy

I think many pheasants including our own commonly shot birds originated from China or those Eastern Parts

[M ROBSON]

Elma,

 

All our Pheasent and wildfowl collection are kept in an enclosed 1/2 acre aviary with several ponds and enclosures inside. We have downsized a lot in the last few years though. The Monal's were my favourite Pheasents.

 

Mark.