Brown Eared Pheasant: Facts and Conservation

Image of a Brown Eared Pheasant in its natural habitat

Introduction

The Brown Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) is a large, ground-dwelling pheasant endemic to China. It inhabits temperate mountain forests, particularly in Shanxi, Hebei and Shaanxi. The species is recognised for its dark plumage, pale ear-coverts, red facial skin and long, distinctive tail. It is listed as Vulnerable globally and is protected under Chinese wildlife legislation. (ww.worldbirdnames.org)

Physical Description

The Brown Eared Pheasant is a large pheasant, generally measuring about 83–110 cm in total length, with many descriptions giving an adult length of approximately 96–100 cm. Males usually weigh more than females, with reported male weights of about 1.65–2.48 kg and female weights of about 1.45–2.03 kg. (animaldiversity.org)

Adults have predominantly dark brown plumage, with a blackish head, neck and upper breast. The bare facial skin is bright red, and elongated pale cream or whitish ear-coverts extend backwards from beneath the eyes. The back, rump and upper tail are silvery white to pale grey, while the wings and lower body are darker brown with a purplish or glossy sheen in some areas.

The long tail is one of the species’ most notable features. The central tail feathers have loose, drooping vanes, giving the tail a soft, shaggy appearance. The bill is pale reddish, and the legs are reddish to crimson. Males are generally larger and may possess leg spurs; females are smaller and lack prominent spurs. Juveniles are duller and less strongly marked than adults, with the characteristic adult plumage developing as they mature.

Range and Habitat

The Brown Eared Pheasant is endemic to northern China. Its known range includes parts of Shanxi, Hebei and Shaanxi, with additional records from the Beijing region. It is a resident species rather than a long-distance migrant, although local movements may occur between feeding, roosting and breeding areas. (ylj.sjz.gov.cn)

It occupies mountainous temperate forests, including deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous woodland. Reported elevations range from approximately 1,100 to 2,600 metres, while breeding birds in Xiaowutaishan National Nature Reserve showed a preference for mixed or deciduous forest at about 1,600–2,200 metres. Suitable habitat tends to include mature trees, a well-developed herb layer, fallen leaf litter, nearby water and relatively undisturbed forest cover. (animaldiversity.org)

The species now occurs in a fragmented distribution, with populations separated by habitat loss and landscape change. Forest clearance, agricultural expansion, infrastructure, fuelwood collection and other forms of disturbance can reduce the continuity and quality of suitable habitat.

Behaviour and Diet

Brown Eared Pheasants are primarily terrestrial and diurnal. They spend much of the day walking or running through woodland and foraging among leaf litter. The species is gregarious outside the breeding period and may occur in family groups or small parties. It is a strong runner and commonly escapes danger on foot rather than relying on sustained flight.

The diet is mainly plant-based. Birds consume leaves, shoots, buds, seeds and other plant material, supplemented by small invertebrates when available. Studies in the Huanglong Mountains found that foraging birds selected forest habitats with suitable tree cover, shrub cover, leaf litter and access to water. (ylj.sjz.gov.cn)

Breeding generally occurs from April to June, although the timing may vary locally. The species is generally described as monogamous. The nest is a shallow ground scrape concealed by vegetation or other cover. A typical clutch contains about five to eight eggs, which are incubated by the female for approximately 26–27 days. The chicks are precocial and leave the nest soon after hatching, remaining under the care of the adults while they grow.

Identification Tips

Look for the following combination of features when identifying a Brown Eared Pheasant:

A large, heavy-bodied pheasant that spends most of its time on the ground.
Dark brown to blackish plumage on the head, neck and upper breast.
Bright red bare facial skin.
Long, pale ear-coverts extending backwards from beneath the eyes.
A silvery-white or pale grey back and rump contrasting with darker underparts.
A long, shaggy-looking tail with loose central feathers.
Reddish legs and a pale reddish bill.
A preference for walking or running through mountain woodland rather than flying readily.

The Brown Eared Pheasant can be distinguished from other eared pheasants by its dark brown body and pale ear-coverts. The White Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) is predominantly white, while the Blue Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum) has more extensive bluish-grey plumage. These species are geographically separated in much of their ranges, but careful attention to overall colour, habitat and distribution is still important.

Conservation Status

The Brown Eared Pheasant is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with a declining population trend. It is also listed as a first-class nationally protected species in China. (nc.iucnredlist.org)

The principal threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, including forest clearance, agricultural expansion, infrastructure development and logging. Local disturbance from fuelwood collection, livestock grazing, medicinal plant harvesting and tourism can also reduce habitat quality, particularly in important breeding areas. Fragmentation may isolate populations and limit movement between suitable forest patches. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Important conservation measures include protecting remaining mountain forests, maintaining connections between habitat patches, safeguarding permanent water sources and limiting damaging activities in core areas. Nature reserves provide protection in parts of the species’ range, but continued monitoring and habitat management remain necessary. Captive breeding should complement, rather than replace, the protection and restoration of wild habitat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Brown Eared Pheasant live?

It is endemic to northern China, where it occurs mainly in mountainous forests in Shanxi, Hebei, Shaanxi and parts of the Beijing region.

Is the Brown Eared Pheasant migratory?

No. It is generally considered a resident species. Individuals may make local movements within forest landscapes, but it does not undertake regular long-distance migration.

What does the Brown Eared Pheasant eat?

Its diet is mainly plant-based and includes leaves, shoots, buds, seeds and other vegetation. Small invertebrates may also be taken opportunistically.

How does the Brown Eared Pheasant breed?

Breeding usually takes place from April to June. The female lays a clutch of about five to eight eggs in a concealed ground nest and incubates them for approximately 26–27 days.

How can the Brown Eared Pheasant be identified?

It is recognised by its large size, dark brown body, red facial skin, pale elongated ear-coverts, silvery back and long shaggy tail. It is usually encountered walking or running through mountain forest.

Why is the Brown Eared Pheasant threatened?

The main threats are the loss and fragmentation of mountain forest, logging, agricultural expansion, infrastructure development and local disturbance from activities such as fuelwood collection, grazing and tourism.

References

BirdLife International. n.d. Brown Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon mantchuricum. Threatened Birds of Asia species account. BirdLife International. https://birdlifedata.blob.core.windows.net/red-data-books/crosmant.pdf (accessed 8 September 2026).
Gill, F., Donsker, D. and Rasmussen, P., eds. 2026. IOC World Bird List, version 15.2. International Ornithologists’ Union. https://www.worldbirdnames.org/ (accessed 8 September 2026).
International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2024. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2024-2: Crossoptilon mantchuricum, Brown Eared-pheasant. IUCN. https://nc.iucnredlist.org/redlist/content/attachment_files/2024-2_RL_Table_7.pdf (accessed 8 September 2026).
Li, H., Yue, B., Lian, Z., Zhao, H., Zhao, D. and Xiao, X. 2012. Modeling spring habitat requirements of the endangered brown eared pheasant Crossoptilon mantchuricum in the Huanglong Mountains, Shaanxi Province, China. Zoological Science 29(9): 593–598. https://doi.org/10.2108/zsj.29.593.
Li, H., Lian, Z. and Chen, C.-G. 2009. Winter foraging habitat selection of brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) and the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in Huanglong Mountains, Shaanxi Province. Acta Ecologica Sinica 29(6): 335–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2009.09.013.
Liu, N.-F., Su, W.-X. and Ren, Q.-S. 2016. Determining the distribution loss of brown eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) using historical data and potential distribution estimates. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 39(2): 241–251. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5075714/.
Sun, L., Guo, S. and Sun, J. 2008. Habitat selection of breeding brown eared-pheasants (Crossoptilon mantchuricum) in Xiaowutaishan National Nature Reserve, Hebei Province, China. Frontiers of Biology 3: 103–108. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/236020265_Habitat_selection_of_breeding_brown_eared-pheasants_Crossoptilon_mantchuricum_in_Xiaowutaishan_National_Nature_Reserve_Hebei_Province_China.
National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. 2021. National Key Protected Wild Animal List. https://www.forestry.gov.cn/sites/main/main/gov/content.jsp?TID=20210205122451967544533 (accessed 8 September 2026).