Feb 9

Bird of the day

White eared pheasant

Crossoptilon crossoptilon

The white eared pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon), also known as Dolan's eared pheasant or Bee's pheasant, is a species of "eared pheasant" that get its name because its colouration is white and has the prominent ear tufts of the genus, not because it has white ears. The indigenous people of Himalaya call it shagga, meaning snow fowl. This gregarious bird lives in large flocks, foraging on alpine meadows close to or above the snowline throughout the year. C. crossoptilon is found in China (Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet) where it tends to inhabit mixed forests and can be found around Buddhist monasteries.

Aliases

Crossoptilon crossoptilon, White eared-pheasant

Data retrieved on October 15, 2025 at 6:17 AM