What protection level does the Golden Pheasant of the family Phasianidae have? Can it be eaten? How much does one cost?

The Golden Pheasant, also known as the Golden Pheasant, Bie Pheasant, Mountain Pheasant, and Cai Pheasant, is a medium-sized chicken-like bird. So what protection level does it have? Can it be eaten? How much does one cost? It is understood that a common Golden Pheasant costs 500 yuan each; the Jilin Rare Bird Breeding Farm quotes 300.00 yuan each.

What protection level does the Golden Pheasant have?

The Golden Pheasant is a national Class 2 key protected wild animal. China is one of the centers of distribution for birds of the family Phasianidae in the world. Of the roughly 130 species of Phasianidae birds worldwide, China has 55 species, and a considerable portion of them are endemic to China, so China can be called a kingdom of pheasants. The Golden Pheasant is one of China's most famous pheasants. With its brilliant colors and delicate bearing, it has historically been regarded by ancient emperors as a treasure among chickens. At present, the “political status” of the Golden Pheasant continues to rise. In many important international conferences, it has repeatedly fulfilled the duty of “substitute national bird” and is gradually becoming a symbol of the Chinese nation.

Can the Golden Pheasant be eaten?

In Europe, it has been widely kept and bred since the 18th century and has become the most common pheasant kept in zoos and wildlife breeding farms in various places. Domestic zoos in China all have records of keeping and breeding it.

In 2004, China's State Forestry Administration published the “Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Sustainable Development of Wild Fauna and Flora”, listing the Golden Pheasant in the “list of terrestrial wild animals with mature captive-breeding techniques for commercial management and utilization”. Wild animals on the list, because captive-breeding techniques are already mature, may, after relevant procedures, legally enter restaurants and be placed on dining tables.

Current population status of the Golden Pheasant

1. Wild numbers:

In surveys conducted in autumn 1982-1983 in Taibai and Pingli, Shaanxi, China, the average density was 6.0 birds/km2; in autumn 1988 it was 3.0 birds/km2; in a spring 1984-1985 survey in Beichuan, Sichuan, the average density was 6.9 birds/km2; in an autumn 1984 survey in the Liupan Mountains of Ningxia, the average density was 3.6 birds/km2.

2. Threatening factors:

Illegal hunting is the greatest threat to the wild population of this species.

(1) The beautiful appearance of the male Golden Pheasant makes it a favored target of poachers. Because of its brilliant plumage color, the skins of male birds can be exported for decorative use, and live birds are used for ornamental display. The number killed each year from various places of origin is quite astonishing. For example, in western Hunan in the 1960s, the animal products department purchased as many as 6000-8000 Golden Pheasant skins. People often make them into specimens for sale as decorations or pluck the feathers to make handicrafts for sale.

(2) In addition, traditional Chinese medicine theory holds that removing the feathers and internal organs of the Golden Pheasant and using the meat fresh can have the effects of warming the middle and tonifying deficiency, and benefiting the liver and harmonizing the blood, which to a certain extent has also stimulated hunting of this species.