View source for Chrysolophus

{{Distinguish|Chrysolopus}}
{{short description|Genus of birds}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Male Golden Pheasant DC.jpg
| image_caption = Male golden pheasant
| taxon = Chrysolophus
| authority = [[John Edward Gray|J.E. Gray]], 1834
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
*[[Golden pheasant]], ''C. pictus''
*[[Lady Amherst's pheasant]], ''C. amherstiae''
}}

'''''Chrysolophus''''' is a [[genus]] of the [[Phasianidae|pheasant family]] of [[bird]]s. The genus name is from [[Ancient Greek]] ''khrusolophos'', "with golden crest".<ref name= job90>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | url= https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling | publisher = Christopher Helm | location = London | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 |page = [https://archive.org/details/Helm_Dictionary_of_Scientific_Bird_Names_by_James_A._Jobling/page/n105 105]}}</ref>

These are species which have spectacularly [[Feather|plumage]]d males. The [[golden pheasant]] is native to western [[China]], and [[Lady Amherst's pheasant]] to [[Tibet]] and westernmost [[China]], but both have been widely introduced elsewhere.  In places where self-supporting feral populations have become established, such as [[England]], the two species will interbreed to produce [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrids]].

Despite the male's showy appearance, these birds are very difficult to see in their natural [[habitat (ecology)|habitat]], which is dense, dark, young [[conifer]] forests with sparse undergrowth. Consequently, little is known of their behaviour in the wild.

They feed on the ground on grain, leaves and [[invertebrate]]s, but roost in trees at night. Whilst they can fly, they prefer to [[cursorial|run]]: but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive wing sound.

==Extant species==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Image !! Scientific name !! Common Name!! Distribution
|-
|[[File:Golden Pheasant, Tangjiahe Nature Reserve.jpg|120px]] || ''Chrysolophus pictus'' || [[golden pheasant]] || Western [[China]], introduced to [[Canada]], the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and elsewhere
|-
|[[File:Lady Amherst Pheasant SMTC.jpg|120px]] || ''Chrysolophus amherstiae'' || [[Lady Amherst's pheasant]] ||  [[Tibet]] and western [[China]]
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Chrysolophus}}

{{Phasianidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q179112}}

[[Category:Chrysolophus| ]]
[[Category:Bird genera]]
[[Category:Taxa named by John Edward Gray]]