On May 6, 2012, baby Edward's Pheasant were born in East Garden of Ueno Zoo. The mother bird incubated the eggs for 24 days in Edward's Pheasant enclosure located between the tiger and Lion enclosures, and the chicks hatched. Three chicks are currently growing up healthy.

As soon as they hatched, they began foraging for food on their own and were energetically walking around. They grew bigger day by day, their flight feathers lengthened, and within 10 days, their small bodies were able to fly from one end of the exercise area to the other.

On rainy or cold days, the chicks huddle under their mother's chest for warmth. When animal keeper come to feed or clean, the father tries his best to intimidate animal keeper and protect the chicks.

The chicks grow quickly, and once they become adults, they can no longer live with their parents. Please enjoy watching this heartwarming family Edward's Pheasant while you still can.

Edward's Pheasant is a type of pheasant that is found only in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the spraying of defoliants caused a rapid decline in forests, and Edward's Pheasant lost its habitat.

　Wild Japanese Edward's Pheasant have not been sighted since 1996. There have been no confirmed sightings of wild Edward's Pheasant since 2000 (although there was a sighting report in 2009, it is thought to be a different species).

Ueno Zoo is working to ensure the survival of this Edward's Pheasant for future generations by implementing a plan for its care.

Photo: Parent and child from Edward's Pheasant
reference: BirdLife International's Edward's Pheasant information page (English)

[Yukiko Matsui, Animal Care and Exhibition Staff, Ueno Zoo, Ueno East Garden]

(May 25, 2012)
(Correction made to Edward's Pheasant sighting information on June 25, 2012)