著者

高橋 松人

出版者

公益財団法人 山階鳥類研究所

雑誌

山階鳥類学雑誌 (ISSN:13485032)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.43, no.1, pp.33-46, 2011-09-30 (Released:2013-09-30)

参考文献数

13

被引用文献数

1

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The Copper Pheasant Syrmaticus soemmerringii is endemic to Japan and information on its breeding ecology in the wild is fragmentary. To examine the breeding schedule and mating system of this species, I set artificial feeding stations at three sites in Mie Prefecture, Japan, from 2003 to 2009, and observed courtship display, drumming, wattle around the eye, and molt of individuals. Individuals were identified mainly by body (and tail) size and plumage color. The egg-laying period was estimated to be from mid-March to April, based on the breeding schedule of individuals in cages. Males and females had bright red wattles from late-February to April and late-February to May, respectively. The mating period was obscure because courtship displays were observed in June, September and November. Males molted their tail from late June to early November. Some young females and adult females used feeders together until the following May. If they belonged to the same family, the family period lasted for one year. Young males disappeared from the family group in late August. At each feeding station, there was one male and female that continued to use the feeder and appeared together at the feeder. Although other males and females sometimes used the feeder, courtship displays were observed only between the male and female that used the feeder continuously. Only the male that continually used the feeder showed drumming by wing whirring. These results suggest that the Copper Pheasant is socially monogamous.