Cheer Pheasant
The Cheer Pheasant, Catreus wallichii also known as Wallich's Pheasant is a vulnerable species of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. It is the only member in monotypic genus Catreus. The scientific name commemorates the Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich.
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| Cheer Pheasant |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank-wouters/
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| Cheer Pheasant |
image source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhruvaraj/
Distribution
The Cheer Pheasant is distributed in the highlands and scrublands of the Himalayas region of India, Nepal, Kashmir and Pakistan. They are found mainly in the west of Nepal, Kumaon, Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Simla States, Bussahir, Chamba till about the Hazara District. Surveys in 1981 and 2003 in the Dhorpatan area of western Nepal established 70 calling sites, suggesting substantial numbers exist in this area (approximately 200 birds). They are found mainly above 6000 feet altitude and up to 10000 feet in summer.
Physical characteristics
These birds lack the color and brilliance of most pheasants, with buffy gray plumage and long gray crests. Its long tail has 18 feathers and the central tail feathers are much longer and the colour is mainly gray and brown. The female is slightly smaller in overall size.
Biology and Social Behaviour
Males are monogamous. They breed on steep cliffs during summer with a clutch of 10 to 11 eggs.
Conservation
Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size and hunting in some areas, the Cheer Pheasant is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix I of CITES. Attempts to reintroduce captive bred Cheer Pheasants in Pakistan have been unsuccessful.
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