The Cheer pheasant Catreus wallichii
The body size of adult cheer pheasant comprises 90–118 cm in males and 61–76 cm in females. The species dwells in oak and mixed forests, thickets of bushes and dense high grass on hill and mountain sides at elevations of 1,200–3,500 m above sea level. Similarly to other pheasant species, these birds nest on the ground, with nesting period lasting from late April to early June. A complete clutch numbers 9 to 14 eggs and is incubated for about 26 days; the brood is walked by both parents. These birds are monogamous not only in the wild but also in zoos and farms where currently more than 800 cheer pheasants are kept. The history of pheasants in captivity extends back for more than 100 years. Captive pheasants breed rather well, and the juveniles become sexually mature already in their second year of life. This species is endangered because of habitat loss and hunting pressure. In the Himalayas, from north-western regions of Pakistan to central Nepal, it was distributed quite widely, although the numbers of these birds were not high. A growing human population, changing patterns of land use and hunting have all contributed to decline of the cheer pheasant population. In Pakistan, the last reliable record of pheasant observation dates back to 1977. The numbers of the birds dramatically decreased in northern India and Nepal, with the world population totalling no more than 5,000 birds. The species has disappeared from most parts of Pakistan. The cheer pheasant is listed in CITES Appendix I and is legally protected in India and Pakistan. A captive breeding programme, which aims to build a genetically robust safety net population, is under way in Himachal Pradesh.
In the wild, the cheer pheasants dwell on hillsides covered with rich grass vegetation and scattered trees. These birds are often seen near human settlements. Adult pheasants feed mostly on plants, although in the first two weeks of their lives, they predominantly eat insects. The cheer pheasants are territorial birds, but the sizes of their home territories are quite small, with up to six bird pairs sometimes living close to each other in the area of 1 km2. The female incubates the clutch, which usually consists of 9 to10 eggs, on the ground, often using a large stone as a shelter.
