Lady Amherst's Pheasant
Chrysolophus amherstiae (Leadbeater, 1829)
LM
LAAPH
3970
Family: Galliformes > Phasianidae
A small population of this distinctive pheasant was present in Bedfordshire for many years, peaking at around 100–200 pairs, but has since disappeared.
Originally established through a series of deliberate introductions, beginning in 1828 with one by Lady Sarah Amherst, this native of central China probably struggled in Britain with changes to woodland structure and the loss of understorey vegetation.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Lady Amherst's Pheasant
SEASONALITY
437 records
BTO RECORDS
Identification
Lady Amherst's Pheasant identification is usually straightforward.
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(IX) |
POPULATION SIZE
| BOU Category | C6 |
|
First Record
|
Bedfordshire, pre-1890 |
DISTRIBUTION
Lady Amherst's Pheasants were introduced to Bedfordshire in the late 1800s, and there have been additional localised introduction attempts elsewhere. By 2007–11 most of these birds had disappeared and only five 10-km squares were occupied.
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 7 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.2 |
| No. occupied in winter | 7 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.2 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
The Lady Amherst's Pheasant shows a long-term pattern of decline and contraction of its non-native range in Britain.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | -46.2% |
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Lady Amherst's Pheasant, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: LM | 5-letter code: LAAPH | Euring: 3970 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Welsh: Ffesant Amherst
Catalan: faisà de Lady Amherst
Czech: bažant diamantový
Danish: Amherstfasan
Dutch: Lady-Amherstfazant
Estonian: teemantfaasan
Finnish: platinafasaani
French: Faisan de Lady Amherst
German: Diamantfasan
Hungarian: gyémántfácán
Icelandic: Demantsfasani
Italian: Fagiano di Lady Amherst
Latvian: dimanta fazans
Lithuanian: deimantinis fazanas
Norwegian: Diamantfasan
Polish: bazant diamentowy
Portuguese: faisão-de-lady-amherst
Slovak: bažant diamantový
Slovenian: diamantni fazan
Spanish: Faisán de Lady Amherst
Swedish: diamantfasan
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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