Scientific name: Chrysolophus pictus

Also called Chinese Pheasant

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The Golden Pheasant is a gamebird native to forests in mountainous areas of western China, but feral populations have been established in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

They feed on the ground on grain, leaves, berries, grubs, seeds and invertebrates, but roost in trees at night. Whilst they can fly, they prefer to run: but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive wing sound. Although they can fly in short bursts they are quite clumsy in flight and spend most of their time on the ground.