The Crestless Fireback Pheasant is one of the most beautiful birds in the world. They are part of a large group of pheasant species. The Crestless Fireback Pheasant is very rare to actually tack, however, it is similar to its relative the Edwards Pheasant. The Crestless Fireback Pheasant wouldn't fall into the social category, due to the fact that all though related they stand independent as their own social group. They stay active pretty much throughout the day and at night you see them in a corner of their nests at peace.

     The Crestless Fireback Pheasant is unique due to its high and pointy upper lobes.  His wings and sides are black, with small silver grey flecks; and his middle back is is metallic dark purple with maroon fringes. Their legs are bluish grey, with a strong spur.  At the age of four months the young males assume the adult plumage.

wpa_malaycrestless_hen.jpg
Courtesy of the World Pheasant Association

The Fireback Pheasant is very loved bird down at the Fort Worth Zoo.  They come from Southern Malaysia, and the zoo keepers only feed them once a day.  It was interesting to discover that only the females nest, and that their nesting is generally in the ground. Their mating process comes in every spring, in comfortable weather; however, their sense of weather is not always the same.  When it gets below freezing and raining they have to be locked up due to the frostbite that may occur in their beaks or tails.
 

After a few trips down to the zoo to study my bird, I saw them do some hilarious, yet interesting things.  It came to my attention that one liked to stay near the water run they had in their exhibit, while the other just hung around in the corner near the greens that were stationed in the exhibit as well.  The funny part however was that every time they would cross paths,  they gave each other the "beak" and ran in opposite directions.
 

Gamebird and Waterfowl Pages:  http://www.gbwf.net
World Pheasant Association:  http://www.gbwf.net/pheasants/index.html
http://www.wcmc.org.uk