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Newsletter, January 2018
Program Updates
Crested Guineafowl SSP Maureen Cleary Ardaiolo, Denver Zoo
Crested guineafowl are a small species of gamebird that live in the
grasslands and forests of Sub-Saharan Africa. This is a newer pro-
gram and had its first planning meeting November 2016. Currently
there are 61.44.6 individuals at 23 institutions. These birds make
great additions to exhibits because they can be housed in pairs, or
as larger flocks, including single sex groups. The AZA sustainability
report link below contains exhibiting information including a long
list of species they are compatable with. Crested guineafowl have
recently been identified as consisting of 3 different species, the pro-
gram leader will continue to contact zoos to identify which species institutions are housing. The most com-
mon species in AZA zoos appear to be Eastern crested guineafowl, seen in the picture below. The SSP is also
in need of some good guineafowl pictures, please send in your best to be used for upcoming publications or
reports. If you are interested in housing this species, please contact the program leader! There are a few
males needing homes.
https://ams.aza.org/eweb/Temp/AZAAnimalProgramReport__netforumaza_088625af-3eca-4448-
a940-5ba91704d7f412312017.PDF
Photo Credit: Mike Owyang, Sacramento
Palawan Peacock Pheasant Mollie Coym, Houston Zoo
Are you looking for a small, attractive, tropical Asian pheasant that mixes
well with other birds, can link well with conservation messaging, and has a
stunning breeding display? The Palawan Peacock Pheasant may fit the
bill! The Palawan Peacock Pheasants are a sexually dimorphic, charis-
matic species. The males are colorful, very active, and display to females
regularly. This is a relatively small pheasant species with a similar display to larger peafowl species, so they are
great exhibit animals for smaller areas.The population is currently male heavy, with the population at 34.26. A
Breeding and Transfer plan was completed in October 2015. Since that plan was completed, Palawans have been
added to the collections at 3 additional institutions and the population size has remained stable. In order to ex-
pand this population, the SSP is looking for new institutions to participate in the program. A new Breeding and
Transfer plan will be done in January 2018, so now is the time to think about adding these to your collection. If
anyone is interested in housing the Palawan Peacock Pheasant, please contact Mollie Coym at
[email protected] for more information.
Photo provided by Molly Coym
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Edwards’s Pheasant SSP Sarah Patterson
St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Through the work of the Galliformes TAG, the AZA Ed-
wards’s Pheasant population has seen growth from 11 in-
dividuals at five institutions in 2011, to currently 51 indi-
viduals in 17 institutions. The increase in individuals and
holding institutions, along with the recent publication of a
regional studbook, resulted in the North American Ed-
wards’s Pheasant population to become an official Yellow
SSP in May!! The first draft of the breeding and transfer
plan has been completed with 12 pairs being recommend-
ed to breed.
Although most likely extinct in the wild, this species is
seeing a worldwide increase due to cooperative conserva-
tion efforts. A collective effort is underway to establish a
breeding center in Vietnam spearheaded by Hanoi Zoo
and Viet Nature. To continue the growth of the AZA pop-
ulation, more institutional holders are needed. Besides being a great addition to mixed spe-
cies exhibits, the Edwards’s Pheasants allow for great conservation messaging on one of the
many benefits of zoos. In December 2016, Edwards’s Pheasants were featured by National
Geographic’s Photo Ark as one of 13 species no longer found in the wild that we can save to-
gether. For more information, please contact Sarah Patterson [email protected]
Program Updates
Green Junglefowl Chris Holmes
Houston Zoo
The Green Junglefowl Gallus varius is a Galliformes that has
been plagued by the “boom and bust” population trend in AZA
institutions. This unique species, although currently listed as
Least Concern by the IUCN, only ranges on a few Indonesian
Islands and it is valued in the songbird trade. Male Green Jun-
glefowl are bred with domestic chicken hens resulting in hy-
brid male offspring called Ayam Bekisar. They are valued for
singing or crowing competitions that have increased in popu-
larity.
The island habitat of this species is shared by some of the
most endangered bird species in the world. The EAZA Silent
Forest Campaign and most recently Sunny Neslon’s article in
the November issue of the AZA Connect feature more infor-
mation on this region, and the cultural practices that once
were sustainable but now have led to a rapid and extreme pop-
Photo provided by Chris Holmes
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ulation decreases and near extinction in some species. Although currently the trade in
this species is thought to be limited it does cause some concern that this species could be
more at risk of endangerment than previously thought.
Of the four species of Junglefowl the Green Junglefowl is the
most unique in its wild habits and in its coloration. In the
2011 Galliformes RCP this species was recommended to be a
managed population but with the yearly evaluation of the
species under the TAG the population of this species had
dropped considerably and on closer inspection the actual
founder base is mostly unknown. The TAG voted to recom-
mend this species is a non-managed species. The TAG is still
encouraging this species to be housed in AZA institutions
but for now intensive management is not warranted.
A few of the islands where this species range are also inhab-
ited by the Komodo Dragon Varanus komodoensis and the
Island of Flores once boosted a unique population of humanoids
that is still perplexing science Homo floresiensis or Flores Man. A few institutions have
recently advertised surplus on the AIG list serve. If you are interested in this species or
would like further information please contact me directly.
Here is a list of recommended AZA species that the Green Junglefowl shares it range
with. This species can help you illustrate the story further of biome themed exhibits. This
list is only shown so that connections can be made not a mixed species exhibit guide.
Photo provided by Chris Holmes
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Species Spotlight
Cabot’s Tragopan
Chuck Cerbini
Toledo Zoo
The Cabot’s Tragopan (Tragopan caboti)
is a medium-sized pheasant endemic to
the mountain forests of southeastern
China and one of five species of Trago-
pan, or horned pheasant - a name that
refers to the set of fleshy horns that
emerge during the courtship displays of
the males. The genus Tragopan also ref-
erences these brightly-colored orna-
ments, compounding the Greek word
tragos, meaning goat, and Pan, the
Greek god of the wild who possesses the
hindquarters and horns of a goat. The
specific name of the Cabot’s Tragopan
commemorates Dr. Samuel Cabot III of
Boston, Massachusetts, who owned the
specimen after which English ornithol-
ogist John Gould first described the species in 1857. Two subspecies of the Cabot’s Tragopan
are currently recognized, with the more recently described T. c. guangxiensis occurring in the
western part of the species’ range (northeast Guangxi) and the nominate T. c. caboti in the east-
ern part (Guangdong to Zhejiang).
Cabot’s Tragopans are primarily vegetarian, foraging for leaves, nuts, and seeds in the early
morning and late afternoon. The species has an apparently strong association with the broad-
leaf evergreen Daphniphyllum macropodum, the deep green leaves of which are readily taken
by this pheasant. Cabot’s Tragopans also ingest various invertebrates in their native range. In
captivity, this species is maintained well on a pelleted pheasant diet supplemented with
chopped fruits, vegetables, and assorted greens. Mazuri Gamebird Maintenance and Breeder
pellets, fed seasonally, serve as good bases for a complete diet. Invertebrates such as meal-
worms and crickets may also be offered.
The Cabot’s Tragopan is considered monogamous although males may mate with additional fe-
males after incubation of the original clutch begins. In captivity, this species is best kept as a
breeding pair. A breeding pair will typically live harmoniously throughout the year, but the be-
havior of the male should be observed closely during introductions and breeding season. Court-
ship in this species begins in February with breeding season commencing in March and extend-
ing through May. The spectacular display of the male is one of the most impressive in the bird
world. Typically starting behind a piece of deadfall or a rock, the male Cabot’s Tragopan bobs
his head repeatedly as the pair of fleshy bright blue horns above the eyes are engorged and re-
Photo by Eric Kowalczyk
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vealed. The bright blue, red, and orange patterned bib is simultaneously unfolded over the
breast. The bird then beats his wings and after fanning his tail, rears his body upward quickly.
Like all tragopans, the Cabot’s Tragopan is highly arboreal and females nest up to thirty feet
off the ground in large trees. In a captive environment, Cabot’s Tragopan hens will nest in a
simple open-topped ply wood box measuring 18” x 18” x 12” lined with shavings and pine straw.
The nesting basket or box should be installed off the ground in an elevated location with lim-
ited disturbance. Females lay between two and five eggs and incubate them for 28 days. Cab-
ot’s Tragopan hens are typically capable sitters and can be adept mothers in the appropriate
environment. The slow-growing chicks hatch well-feathered and are capable of flying within the
first several days of life. Hand-rearing of this species is also straightforward. Male Cabot’s
Tragopans show adult color and reach sexual maturity in their second year.
The Cabot’s Tragopan is considered Vulnerable by the IUCN due mostly to logging and sweep-
ing destruction and encroachment of
its habitat for agricultural purposes,
while illegal hunting for food is also
a threat. Currently, the global popu-
lation, estimated to be below 10,000
individuals and possibly even less
than 5,000, is regarded as declining
throughout the bird’s range. The
species is protected nationally in
China and is listed in CITES Appen-
dix 1, which affects the international
trading of this pheasant. Domesti-
cally, the Cabot’s Tragopan is also
listed as Endangered by the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife Service, so both buy-
er and seller must maintain the
proper USFWS Captive-bred Wild-
life permit with this species listed if
individuals are to be sold or traded
between state lines within the Unit-
ed States.
The Cabot’s Tragopan has been the
subject of monitoring programs and
conservation research in China since
the late 1980s. Work has included radio-tagging and tracking birds, providing artificial nesting
sites, and reintroduction of captive-bred birds in the Taoyuandong National Nature Reserve.
Currently, the AZA population of Cabot’s Tragopan is 32 birds (15.17) at 15 institutions. Sever-
al of these institutions have been successful in propagating the species over the past few years
and it is hoped that with continued and expanded success, this pheasant will become an estab-
lished program in zoos. The Cabot’s Tragopan is an overall hardy pheasant that can withstand
harsh weather if given dry protected roosting sites and shaded areas. Exhibits should include
ample cover, which is easily accomplished with grasses, bamboos, and evergreen shrubs and
trees. Despite historic infertility issues in breeding birds, Cabot’s Tragopans can be long-lived
and will breed readily if kept properly. Individual birds, as in other tragopan species, are
known for taming to the point that favored food items are taken from the hands of their care-
takers.
Photo by Chuck Cerbini
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References
Howman, K. 1991. Pheasants of the World: Their Breeding and Management. Hancock House
Publishers, Surrey, B.C. Canada.
Beebe, W. 1990. A Monograph of the Pheasants. Reprint. Originally published: London:
Witherby, 1918-1922, Dover Publications, Inc., Mineola, NY.
Johnsgard, P. A. 1999. The Pheasant of the World: Biology and Natural History. 2nd ed.,
Smithsonian Press, Washington D.C.
Delacour, J. 1978. Pheasants: Their Care and Breeding. T.F.H. Publishing, Neptune, NJ.
Wayre, P. 1969. A Guide to the Pheasants of the World. Hamlyn Publishing, London, U.K.
Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University
Press, Princeton, NJ.
McGowan, P.J.K. & Kirwan, G.M. (2018). Cabot's Tragopan (Tragopan caboti). In: del Hoyo,
J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the
World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/53480 on 5
January 2018).
Why did the guineafowl cross the road?
To prove he wasn’t chicken!!!
Photo by Gwen Harris
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“Gallinformed” Kelly Pardy
Houston Zoo
Earlier this year, the AZA Helmeted Curassow (Pauxi pauxi) population underwent its first
breeding and transfer plan in nearly 10 years, with the last publication being the 2007 Popu-
lation Management Plan. This most recent publication also marked the populations change
from a Red SSP to a Yellow SSP designation. Since
the publication of the 2017 Breeding and Transfer
Plan, four recommended breeding pairs have pro-
duced offspring, all of which being first time par-
ents. Adding 8 new breeders to the captive popula-
tion has been a big step in its management. Dispar-
ity between age classes, with only a few successfully
breeding individuals, was a concern for the future of
the population. However, with new pairs set up in
the population, and increased recruitment from
younger age classes, the AZA population is set up
for success in the upcoming years.
Although the population has continued to grow, one
potential barrier in the management of P. pauxi relates to recom-
mended rearing techniques. Behavioral issues have been observed in hand-raised individu-
als in the past, so minimizing the number of hand-raised birds will make breeding and
transfer recommendations easier in the future. Current management strategies include an
emphasis on parent-raising or foster-raising offspring. However, older birds who have not
bred (and/or may be on the edge of being post-reproductive) would be suitable candidates for
hand-raising offspring in order to preserve their genetics in future generations.
Despite the unique challenges presented by hand-raised birds, several institutions have set-
ups capable of dealing with problematic individuals. One such institution is Houston Zoo,
Inc. (HZI). HZI has a large bird collection with plenty of off-exhibit space capable of housing
multiple pairs of curassows. These off-exhibit enclosures allow recommended breeding pairs
to be kept side-by-side, which allows the birds to have physical access to each other during
monitored reproductive introductions. These introductions are done throughout the breed-
ing season to maximize reproductive suc-
cess. Social introductions may also occur
throughout the non-breeding season to
help strengthen/reinforce pair-bonds be-
tween birds.
HZI’s breeding pair of P. pauxi had been
together for several years at their previous
Photo provided by Kelly Pardy
Photo provided by Kelly Pardy
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institution, but have been housed separately for nearly two years since arriving at HZI. The
male (Studbook Number 137) is a hand-raised bird that, when housed with the hen (Studbook
Number 148), had exhibited aggression up to the point of causing injuries. Once both birds
were transferred into side-by-side enclosures, HZI began providing introductions throughout
the year, primarily during the breeding season. The hen had not appeared very keen on the
male after first arriving in Houston, but has become more receptive towards him during this
past breeding season. Keepers were able to record consistent copulation within the few days
before the start of each clutch and during the interval between each egg laid. This has been the
hen’s first consistent year of egg-laying (7 clutches) and fertility has been proven to be success-
ful throughout the breeding season. Three chicks successfully hatched out before keepers be-
gan pulling eggs from later clutches.
The reproductive success of HZI’s hen has been a big step, but she has shown no interest in the
incubation process. Due to this uninterest, or lack of experience, the first several clutches were
given to broody domestic chickens for foster-incubation and foster-rearing. Two domestic chick-
ens successfully hatched out 3 P. pauxi
chicks, with 2 of them surviving past the first
few weeks of life. Both surviving chicks con-
tinued to live with their foster-mothers for
about the first 3 months after hatch, before
removing the domestic chickens from their
enclosures. This method has proven success-
ful in minimizing imprinting in the past, but
future breeding efforts with Houston’s P.
pauxi will focus on attempts to parent-raise
offspring. HZI has never successfully parent-
raised P. pauxi, but is working towards creat-
ing situations conducive to these ideal sce-
narios.
HZI has been working with P. pauxi since
1970, with its first institutional hatch occurring in June of 1987. Since that time, HZI has gone
on to hatch 37 (16.19.2) individuals, including the three birds from 2017. The hatches from
2017 are the first for P. pauxi at HZI since August of 2009. HZI currently houses 16 curassows
in total (Blue-billed, Wattled, and Helmeted) and has had a long history of breeding all three
AZA-managed curassow species. It is just one of many institutions dedicated to working with
these birds long-term. The AZA P. pauxi population continues to expand with the help of near-
ly 20 institutions (and growing). Any insti-
tution interested in housing any of the three
AZA-managed species of curassow, please
contact any of the program leaders for more
information.
Photo provided by Kelly Pardy
Photo provided by Kelly Pardy
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Curassow Introductions at the Smithsonian Na-
tional Zoological Park Heather Anderson
We are very excited to share that we have a new and successfully introduced pair of blue-billed
curassows at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Our pair is comprised of an 8 year old
male (Albert) and a 20 month old female (Jackie).
Our male had been previously paired with a
much older female in a mixed species exhibit and had
never been observed copulating nor even showing any
courtship behaviors. Therefore they never produced
eggs/chicks. After the older female passed away we
requested a female to pair with our male. Because of
the blue-billed curassows’ low numbers we literally
had to wait until one was born. Our wait was over in
April 2016 with the hatching of Jackie! She came to
the National Zoo from White Oak Conservation Cen-
ter, Florida in September 2016. Since she was too
young and small to start introductions, we put the two
birds in adjacent outdoor enclosures so that they could
see and hear each other. They remained in adjacent
exhibits for one year before direct introductions were made. A colleague and I were fortunate
enough to visit White Oak before the introduction of our pair to gain as much knowledge of their
courtship behaviors as possible before proceeding on this endeavor. The keepers at White Oak
were wonderful and obviously share our love of the blue-billed curassows!
Throughout the past year we observed many positive behaviors between the two birds.
These behaviors seemed to indicate an interest in each other and were in no way aggressive.
For example, Albert started booming almost immediately upon Jackie’s placement next door
and continued to do so until they were introduced. Jackie would also frequently preen with her
back to Albert up close to the fence. Albert would fly up to a perch and back down to the ground
repetitively while making a whistling vocalization, seemingly trying to get Jackie’s attention.
In the mornings, I started to notice that their fecal piles were next to each other on opposite
sides of the fence which showed me that they roosted as close to each other as possible for most
of the night. I also witnessed Albert picking up food items as well as feathers and small rocks
and taking them over to the fence where Jackie was. Although she could not take it from him
through the fence, she did respond to his whistles by coming over to him. We tried to capitalize
on the natural attraction they had by feeding them in pans on the ground on opposite sides of
the fence so that they “shared” that experience with each other prior to being introduced.
And so the day came for the much anticipated introduction. We opened the gate between
the two enclosures and waited. Albert came over to Jackie’s side and just walked around the
enclosure. He went over to her food pan and to her pool. Jackie did the same on Albert’s side.
They both seemed to walk the perimeter of the other’s exhibit. Finally they both were on Jack-
ie’s side when Albert went to Jackie’s food pan to eat, but instead called to Jackie with the food
item in his mouth and she took it from him immediately! Success!
Photo taken by Heather Anderson shortly after intro-
ductions in October 2017
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Photo taken by Heather Anderson – “Jackie” 2017
This is a magnificent species with unique vocalizations and a storied past in the mountains of
Colombia. They deserve to be studied and saved for future posterity. Hopefully we can play a
part in their survival and increasing the understanding of their behaviors. As our pair of blue-
billed curassow continue to strengthen their bond we eagerly wait for breeding season to begin!
Photo taken by Heather Anderson – “Albert” 2017
Using Camera Traps and Training for New Cab-
ot’s Tragopans Maureen Cleary Ardaiolo, Denver Zoo
Denver Zoo acquired a new pair of Cabot’s Tragopans
in July 2017. This was a very nervous pair, so when
keepers were servicing them during their quarantine
period, they would hide, or flush into the air. They
also ate very little during this time. Once out of quar-
antine, the birds were moved to our Avian Propaga-
tion Center and housed in a 4’x10’ indoor stall and
had a heavily planted, 10’x28’ outside yard. In their
new enclosure, their behavior was very similar to
their behavior in quarantine. They remained fearful
of staff and it became challenging to observe their
“calm” behavior and even more difficult to determine
how well they were eating. In an effort to make them
more comfortable around staff, we planned to be
hands off, to allow the birds to acclimate to their new
surroundings at their own pace. We did this by al-
ways allowing the tragopans to have choice of their
two enclosures. In allowing the birds this choice, they
have best opportunities to be able to experience the Photo provided by Maureen Cleary Ardaiolo
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sights and sounds of our prop center, adjust to neighboring birds, and have ample outdoor pri-
vacy. Since Denver can experience cold nights, 24 access was an appropriate option because
Tragopans are a cold tolerant species. We installed a Reconyx Hyperfire ® camera trap to ob-
serve the tragopans without being nearby. This camera trap takes pictures using a motion sen-
sor and has night vision capabilities. Staff set up the camera trap and gave the birds’ space. Af-
ter a few days of observations, we were able to see their favorite perching spots, identify their
food preferences and note the time of day they preferred to eat. Being “hand’s off” helped the
birds acclimate to their new surroundings with little disturbance from keepers. After a few
weeks, keepers began to slowly vary the time food was offered and move the food bowls closer to
the indoor holding. The camera trap helped to confirm the tragopans continued to eat after
each approximation. After a few short months, the birds began entering the indoor holding
stall for their morning diet, and continued to stay inside while staff was nearby. Even though
night temperatures were dropping, we continued to allow the birds to have enclosure choice.
Presently, staff finds the birds perched inside at AM checks, the birds wait inside patiently
while staff distributes diets, and often come in on their own to investigate staff activity in the
building. Attached is a picture of the birds eating their food while the shift door is closed behind
them.
Breeding and studying the critically endangered
Edwards’s pheasant at Paignton Zoo, United King-
dom.
Joseph D’Souza, Andrew Bowkett and Peter Smallbones
Edwards’s pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) is a Critically En-
dangered species from Vietnam, which has not been seen in
the wild since 2000. Very little research has been published
on this species and nothing is known about its behaviour in
the wild. Fortunately, there is a substantial population in
captivity descended from birds imported to Europe in the
1920s. In response to the situation in the wild, Viet Nature
(BirdLife in Vietnam) established the Vietnam Edwards’s
Pheasant Working Group in 2014. In the following year, the
group published a 5-year action plan (2015-2020) with the
vision of a self-sustaining wild population of L. edwardsi by
2030. To achieve this vision, the plan recommends estab-
lishing a captive breeding programme in Vietnam to pro-
vide birds for research and reintroduction.
With previous experience of the species, and ongoing sup-
port for conservation projects in Vietnam, Paignton Zoo received two 2-year old males and two 1-year old
females from private collections in August 2015 on the recommendation of the international studbook.
The young pheasants were paired in separate enclosures not on view to the public. The aviaries were of
identical size and similar design - an outdoor area (5.3 x 3 m) consisting of live trees, water trays, sus-
pended perches and additional Leylandii branches placed in the corners of the aviary to provide extra
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cover; a walkway (0.85 x 3 m); and an indoor area (1.3 x 3 m) also with perches, branches and feed
bowls. A sand substrate was used in both the outdoor and indoor areas. The birds were fed once a day
with our basic seed mix supplemented several times a week with lettuce and a mixture of fruit and
Universal Pate (Witte Molen) – a soft food for birds. To increase protein and encourage reproduction,
Red Band (Haiths) - a Pigeon conditioner, was added to the seed mix just before and throughout the
breeding season. When chicks hatched, they received mealworms three times a day as well as Chick
Crumb (Fancy Feed Company).
During their first breeding season both pairs produced fertile clutches
(eggs candled by staff), however incubation of eggs was quite poor with
both females observed to leave their nests frequently. One egg hatched
in June 2016 and the parents successfully raised the female chick. In
the 2017 breeding season, both pairs produced fertile eggs and the fe-
males sat a lot tighter. One pair failed to hatch eggs for a second sea-
son while the other hatched five chicks, four of which were successfully
raised to independence (3 males and 1 female).
The behaviour of the pheasants was studied during both breeding sea-
sons and compared to non-breeding periods. Observations were per-
formed remotely using security cameras which recorded 1 hour per day on a randomised schedule dur-
ing daylight hours. State behaviours and proximity of individuals to each other were recorded every
minute while specific behaviours associated with courtship and reproduction were recorded continuous-
ly.
Results indicate a difference in behaviour between seasons and between males and females. When the
data were pooled for all the birds, time spent in locomotion was higher in the breeding seasons with a
corresponding decrease in sitting. There was no difference between seasons in time spent foraging,
standing or preening. When the data were compared between individuals, males were found to spend
more time in locomotion than females while females spent more time foraging. In both years, proximity
of the female to the chicks declined during the first month as the chicks became more independent
(20% of time spent more than 1 meter from female by 30 days old).
Three specific behaviours appeared to be associated with courtship. The most frequent was the rapid
opening of wings, which has been described as ‘wing-whirring’ in related pheasant species. We also ob-
served the males approach the females side-on while bobbing their heads and holding their tails out
straight. To the best of our knowledge, this ‘lateral display’ has not been described for Edwards’s
“Wing-whirring” Photo provided by Peter Smallbones
Photo provided by Peter Smallbones
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pheasant previously. The lateral dis-
play was sometimes, but not always,
followed by the third behaviour in
which the male charged at the female
and attempting to mount her. The lat-
eral display and charging were rare
events only captured on film on a few
occasions. In contrast, wing-whirring
was relatively frequent and occurred
at higher frequencies during both
breeding seasons (up to 20 times per
hour) compared to the non-breeding
seasons, providing a potential indica-
tor for the onset of breeding.
With the goal of the action plan being
a sustainable wild population of Ed-
wards’s pheasants by 2030, we hope
our research will assist those working
with this species in Vietnam. To this
end, we have created a website to
share our results, including behaviour-
Photos provided by Peter Smallbones
Scale Training Edwards’s pheasants (Lophura
edswardi): A Success Story
Erin Watts, Sarah Doherty, Susan Petrunio
Memphis Zoo
The Edwards’s pheasant is an intelligent member of the order Galliformes, but very little is
known about their behavior in the wild. Because they are critically endangered and elusive,
ethology is solely noted within captivity. Much is still undocumented about these birds in the
wild, including factors such as their normal behavior, diet and average weights. The Edwards’s
pheasant is a yellow SSP and currently has 51 (24.27) birds in 18 AZA institutions.
Memphis Zoo’s 1.1 Edwards’s pheasants came from Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo and Zoo Miami
respectively. They are both two years old and arrived in July 2017. Our birds spend most of
their time on the ground under a tall bush in the exhibit and typically sit together. But during
cold weather, they will roost up in a large tree in their exhibit. This is different than the other
pheasants found in the CHINA section, such as Temminck’s tragopans and golden pheasants,
who spend most of their time in trees or on high perching.
Because this pair was new to each other and the zoo, and because we were heading into win-
ter, it was important for keepers to be able to monitor their weights as an indicator of overall
health. For CHINA’s 2017 fall internship, one of the projects was to scale train the Edwards’s
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pheasants. The birds
were trained in the
morning before they
received their AM diet
so we could ensure
they were motivated.
Next, the trainer intro-
duced a bridge (in this
case, a clicker) with a
high-value item (which
turned out to be wax-
worms.) By the second
week, the pheasants
understood the bridge,
so the decision was made to take the next step -- stationing.
Station boards were cut and painted. The male was assigned a black board and the female was
designated to a brown board. The boards were laid flat on the grass and the birds were then
cued to their respective stations. The vis-
ual cue was a finger point and the verbal
cue was “station.” Several days passed,
but eventually both pheasants began to
step onto the boards. At first, the birds
were rewarded for just putting a foot on
the board. Over the course of two weeks,
the criteria was refined until the birds
were only rewarded for standing with
both feet on the board and remaining
still. By the fourth week, both birds were successfully station trained.
Initially, the trainer did have problems with the pheasants standing on their own station and
stealing rewards from the other. A clump of grass in the exhibit was used as visual barrier-
this served to prevent competition. From then on, they consistently stayed on their own boards.
The last step to the training plan was to introduce the scale. The scale was placed on the grass
with the board on top. The cue was given and the male pheasant
stepped fully on the scale. The female then followed onto the scale af-
ter the male stepped off. They were both heavily rewarded with wax-
worms. Both of the pheasants’ weights were successfully recorded.
The training continued for two weeks before the internship ended,
but CHINA keepers have continued the scale sessions.
Because of this training, Memphis Zoo is now able to measure our
Edwards’s pheasants weights in a stress-free manner. It is our hope
that the information we gather and the training program we will ex-
pand can be used to aid the SSP in future work and help the popula-
tion of Edwards’s pheasants overall.
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Common name Scientific name
Malay great argus pheasant Argisianus argus
Edwards's pheasant Lophura edwardsi
Attwater's prairie chicken
Tympanuchus cupido attwa-
teri
Blue-billed curassow Crax alberti
Northern helmeted curas-
sow Pauxi pauxi
Wattled curassow Crax globulosa
Crested guineafowl Guttera pucherani
Vulturine guineafowl Acryllium vulturinum
Congo peafowl Afropavo congensis
Palawan peacock pheasant Polyplectron emphanum
Cabot's tragopan Tragopan caboti
Crested wood patridge Rollulus rouloul
Galliformes TAG Recommended
The updated Galliformes TAG regional
collection plan will be updated later this
year
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A big THANK YOU to everyone that contributed to the sec-ond edition of the Galliformes TAG newsletter
Please send your thoughts, comments, suggestions and ide-as for future articles to Katie Vyas ([email protected])
TAG Chair: Chris Holmes ([email protected]) TAG Vice-Chair: Gen Anderson ([email protected]) TAG Secretary: Katie Vyas ([email protected]) Steering Committee Members Peter Bibeault Joe DeGraauw Terry Lincoln Julie Lindenmayer Josef Lindholm Shawn Pederson Dave Rimlinger
Photo provided by Chris Holmes