Males have a rainbow of colours, from their golden-yellow crest to their red sides to their iridescent blue-green back. These bright colours are used for display to claim territory and impress females. Males usually avoid predators by running, but they are also able to fly quickly upwards for brief moments.

 

The males, with their majestic tails included, measure 90 to 105 centimeters in length, while the females are slightly smaller at 60 to 80 centimeters, with their tails accounting for about half of their total length.

 

Females are more subdued camouflage colours, mottled brown and black.  They are the only parent that will take care of their chicks, so they must be better at avoiding predators.

 

When it comes to breeding, these pheasants construct their nests on the ground, often within dense brush or tall grass. The nest is a shallow depression lined with plant materials. The female lays a clutch of 5 to 12 eggs and incubates them for approximately 22 to 23 days. The chicks are are precocial, meaning they are highly capable from birth and can move and feed shortly after hatching. They typically follow the adult to food sources and independently peck at food.

 

In human care they can live up to 20 years, but their average lifespan in their natural environment is only about 6 years.