January 24, 2015 – Palawan Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron napoleonis)

Requested by: Elio Grieco and taylorrbranham

As the name suggests, the Palawan Peacock-pheasant is found on the island of Palawan, a part of the Philippine archipelago. They are largely insectivorous, living off of insect larvae, grubs, earwigs, and small frogs, as well as some seeds and berries. Like other peacock-pheasants, the male has bright plumage and a large tail which he can hold up like a fan when courting females. To begin courting, the male holds a piece of food in his beak which we waves in view of the female, he then drops the food and waits for her to eat it. After she has accepted his food he begins his display, fanning his tail while strutting around her and making a hissing sound. They are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to habitat destruction and hunting.