The Vietnamese, or the Vo Quy’s pheasant, is a rare pheasant that is endemic to Central Vietnam. The range of this bird concentrates around the Ke Go Nature Reserve in Ha Tinh province.
The pheasant was discovered in 1964, and described in the year that followed, by the Vietnamese zoologist Vo Quy. Hence, it was named after him.
Typically, the male pheasant is more attractive than the female. It has a shiny black plumage with dark blue tones, and blue-edged feathers on the body. The female is rather unattractive with plain, greyish-brown plumage. It is said that they mostly feed on grain, seeds, plants and insects.
According to the IUCN Red List, Vietnamese pheasants are an endangered species. The destruction of coastal lowlands and commercial logging are among the main factors that contribute to the population fall.
Besides, a considerable number of these birds are hunted for trade and meat.
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