Temminck's Tragopan

(Tragopan temminckii)

• Temminck's Tragopan by Brian Shamblin
• Avicultural Data
• Images
• Bibliography
• Links

Tragopan temmincki Photo by Jan Harteman

Other Names: Crimson Bellied Tragopan, Chinese Crimson Pheasant, Temminck's Horned Pheasant

Range: The most widespread of the genus, this Tragopan is found in northeastern India through Myanmar (Burma) to northern Vietnam north to central China.

Subspecies: None recognized.

Habitat: Forests, dense evergreen, bamboo and rhododendron.

Description: The head is black, forming a mask around the blue facial skin that is extended during courtship; deep orange-red on crest, neck and breast; some males with bright orange collar; rest of body crimson, covered with gray spots on lower breast and black-lined white spots on wing coverts, back and upper tail coverts. Compared to the similar Satyr Tragopan, tail shorter, underparts grayer, overall lighter and more extensive facial skin.

Description, female: Delacour, 1977: Upper parts varying from rufous to greyish brown, never as reddish as in some satyra, nor as grey as in caboti, strongly mottled with blackish, with arrow-shaped mark of pale buff to greyish white; chin and throat buff to whitish, with black lines; under parts light brown with large whitish spots and black patches.

Status in Wild: Not threatened or vulnerable at this time. Habitat loss may soon become a problem.

Interesting Facts: Named for Dutch ornithologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck (1778-1858).

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: Well established; the most commonly seen of the genus in captivity. A 2004 survey showed the Temminck's Tragopan to be the one of the most popular and commonly kept pheasant species in North America.

Breeding Season: Late April through June.

Breeding Age: Second year, although first year hens may lay fertile eggs if kept with an older male. Elevated nesters.

Clutch Size: 3-6

Incubation Period: 28 days

Click on thumbnails for larger views.

Photo Credits
(l to r): 1-2, Kristin Cowell; 3, Matt Tuttle; 4-6, Roman Kmicikewycz; 7, Josh James; 8-9, Bud & RoxAnn Riggs; 10-12, Dan Cowell.

• Delacour, J. 1977. The Pheasants of the World. 2nd ed., World Pheasant Association and Spur Publications, Hindhead, U.K.
• Delacour, J. 1978. Pheasants: Their Care and Breeding. T.F.H. Publishing, Neptune, NJ.
• Hayes, LB. 1995. Upland Game Birds: Their Breeding and Care. Leland Hayes, Valley Center, CA.
• Howman, K. 1991. Pheasants of the World: Their Breeding and Management. Hancock House Publishers, Surrey, B.C. Canada.
• Johnsgard, P.A. 1999. The Pheasants of the World: Biology and Natural History. 2nd ed., Smithsonian Press, Washington D.C.
• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Wayre, P. 1969. A Guide to Pheasants of the World. Hamlyn House, Middlesex, U.K.

Links related to this species. Please note, links will open in a new window/tab.

• Temminck's Tragopan - ARKive species factsheet.
• Temminck's Tragopan - BirdLife species factsheet.
• Temminck's Tragopan - Fact sheet from the Honolulu Zoo.
• Temminck's Tragopan - Mangoverde World Bird Guide Species Page; Images & Sounds.
• Tragopan temminckii Images - Images of this species located at the Phasianidae group on flickr.
• Wikipedia - Temminck's Tragopan - Wikipedia's species page.