Argusianus argus argus
15 to 18 inches tall; weight is 3 to 5 pounds
Malay Peninsula, Sumatra
Where to see them
Exotic bird habitats
- Male Argus pheasants have two extremely long tail feathers that can reach over four feet in length.
- The call of the male Argus pheasant can be heard from half a mile away.
Argus pheasants are relatively solitary but may come together for feeding, roosting, and breeding. During breeding season, males appear to have fairly large territories; however, little is known about how actively these territories are defended. Male Argus pheasants call daily during breeding season and perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. Males have little to no involvement in the incubation and rearing of chicks. Argus pheasant chicks grow very slowly in relation to other pheasant species. Females have been known to bill-feed chicks for upwards of five weeks.
Argus pheasant diet consists of fruit, insects and vegetation.
Argus chicks weigh about 55 grams at hatching, and by 2 months old, weigh around 450 grams. Females reach sexual maturity around 1year of age, while males may take two to three years. Young male Argus pheasants’ tails grow in length with each molt and will not reach full length for several years.
Some of My Neighbors (IN THE WILD)
Asian elephant, tapir, crested fireback pheasant
Population Status & Threats
Adult Argus pheasants have few known predators besides humans. Argus pheasants are taken during breeding season for their ornamental feathers. Wild populations are also threatened with loss of habitat.
Zoo Atlanta Conservation Efforts
Zoo Atlanta participates in the AZA Argus Pheasant Population Management Program (PMP) by housing and breeding these birds.