Peacock-pheasant

The peacock-pheasants are a bird genus, Polyplectron, of the family Phasianidae, consisting of eight species. They are colored inconspicuously, relying on heavily on crypsis to avoid detection. When threatened, peacock-pheasants will alter their shapes using specialised plumage that when expanded reveals numerous iridescent orbs. The birds also vibrate their plume quills further accentuating their aposematism. Peacock-pheasants exhibit well developed metatarsal spurs. Older individuals may have multiple spurs on each leg. These kicking thorns are used in self-defense.

Peacock-pheasants
male Palawan peacock-pheasant
Polyplectron napoleonis
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae
Subfamily: Phasianinae
Tribe: Polyplectronini
Blyth, 1852
Genus: Polyplectron
Temminck, 1807
Type species
Polyplectron chinquis = Pavo bicalcaratus
Temminck, 1823
Synonyms

Polyplectrum (lapsus)

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