This large ground bird from the Congo is the only true pheasant native to Africa and, showing characteristics of both peafowl and guineafowl, has fascinated and perplexed ornithologists since its discovery in 1936. Males are adorned with an elaborate array of colours, having dark bronze-green upper parts, black underparts, violet-blue breast and end tail feathers and a vivid red naked throat. These vibrant males also boast a conspicuous crest of long, dense white bristles on the crown, with a few darker feathers behind. The tail opens up into an impressive fan during displays, and a large spur on the inside of each leg may be used in male battles. Females are slightly smaller than males, and are rusty brown with metallic emerald-green upper parts and only a short russet crest. |
