The Palawan peacock-pheasant Polyplectron emphanum
The Palawan peacock-pheasant is found only in the humid forests of Palawan Island in the southern part of the Philippines. The Palawan peacock-pheasant is an endangered species included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as vulnerable. It is perhaps the most beautiful bird of all peacock-pheasants. The male of this species has a long metallic blue crest with white lines above and below the eye. His very dark brown eyes are surrounded with red skin, although he lacks wattles. Its back, rump and tail are black with rusty brown spots. The mantle and wing coverts are metallic blue with purple reflections. The upper tail coverts and broad tail feathers have large blue-green iridescent ocelli bordered by black and grey. He has a dark grey to black bill and dark grey legs. The male Palawan peacock-pheasant measures 50 to 60 cm in length including the length of a very long tail. Females are much smaller than males. The female is mainly dark brown with a pale face and a crest that lies flat on her head. She also has ocelli on her tail, but they are not as spectacular as the ocelli of the male.
Palawan peacock-pheasants are omnivorous, feeding on diverse foods including insects and their larvae, molluscs, centipedes, termites, small frogs, fruit, seeds, and berries. They are strictly monogamous, maintaining stable pair bonds. Both parents participate in rearing chicks for up to two years.
