Copper pheasant
Scientific name: Syrmaticus soemmerringii
- How weight is recorded: Whole weight
Field notes
Appearance
Male is striking with iridescent copper-bronze plumage on head, neck, and upper body; females are duller brown with barred underparts. Males notably larger with longer tail feathers and spurs.
Size and weight
Males 60–75 cm, 1.1–1.3 kg; females 50–60 cm, 0.7–0.9 kg.
Habitat
Dense mountain forests with mixed deciduous and coniferous cover, typically between 600–2,000 m elevation. Prefers steep terrain with dense understory vegetation and fallen logs.
Distribution
Endemic to central and southern Japan (Honshu, Shikoku); inhabits cool montane forests from lowland valleys to subalpine zones.
Diet
Primarily seeds, berries, and insects; scratches leaf litter and soil for acorns, chestnuts, and invertebrates; seasonal shift toward more green vegetation in spring.
Behaviour
Diurnal, most active at dawn and dusk. Solitary or in pairs outside breeding season; roosts in trees at night. Walks forest floor but flushes explosively when alarmed.
Hunting tips
Search for scratching sign in leaf litter and soft soil on slope bases; droppings are elongated and often found in clusters. Move quietly upslope through dense cover, listening for subtle alarm calls. Use terrain folds and vegetation for concealment; birds hold in thick bramble patches and will flush suddenly when closely approached.
Whole weight
This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 1 country in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.