Chickens in Vietnam belong to the pheasant family, which includes various bird species widely distributed around the world. Most of these birds are of medium size, with very few species being large or small.
White pheasant (Lophura nycthemera). Their suitable habitat is in evergreen forests, both primary and secondary, at elevations of 500 meters or higher. Scientists and farmers have encountered them at altitudes ranging from 500 to 1000 meters, and even on mountain peaks at 1200 – 1800 meters. They forage on the ground and sleep in trees at night. (Photo: Phùng Mỹ Trung)
Wild chicken (Gallus gallus). A large bird with wings measuring 200-250mm and weighing between 1-1.5kg. Males have bright orange-red feathers on their head and neck, dark red on their back and wings, and black on their chest, abdomen, and tail. Females are smaller and have a dull brown color overall. They have brown or orange-yellow eyes, and their beak is either brown or grayish. Their flesh-colored beak is red, and their legs are light gray. Wild chickens are resident birds found in various forest types. Their preferred habitat includes secondary forests near agricultural fields or mixed bamboo and reed forests. They are social birds active during two times of the day: early morning and late afternoon. At night, they seek tall trees under 5 meters with large canopies to roost in, often preferring thickets of bamboo or reeds with many fallen trees. (Photo: Tăng a Pẩu)
Purple pheasant (Lophura diardi). Adult males have a crest measuring 70 – 90mm, usually standing upright, with a steel blue color. The head, chin, and throat are black, while the lower back is metallic gold. The hips and upper tail are steel blue with purple hues. The rest of the plumage is generally blue. Adult females lack a crest but have longer feathers on the top of their heads. They are commonly found in various types of forests and thickets, including open areas along paths, at elevations of around 750 meters or lower. They can be seen alone or in small groups, primarily distributed from Hà Tĩnh province southward. This species is listed in Vietnam’s Red Book. (Photo: Phùng Mỹ Trung)
Temminck’s Tragopan (Tragopan temminckii). Adult males generally exhibit beautifully colored plumage with bright red, reddish-brown, and a mix of brown and black. Most of their feathers feature wide sky-blue streaks. They have brown eyes, a black beak, and blue skin around the eyes, with pink legs. One-year-old males resemble females but are slightly larger. Females have rufous and white streaks and appear coarser than males. This species is typically found in Lào Cai province, at elevations of 2000 – 3000 meters. They are endemic to Vietnam and are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam. (Photo: Dick Daniels)
Annamese Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera annamensis). They have a long crest, with the chin, throat, and entire underside black. A prominent feature is a broad white stripe running along each side of the neck. The wings are black with some white markings; the tail is black with narrow white streaks. They have orange-brown or yellow eyes, a black or grayish beak, and bright red skin around the eyes. Their legs are reddish-purple. This pheasant species is distributed across the southern Central Highlands, the northern part of Playku, and much of the northern southern region. It is endemic to Vietnam. (Photo: Phùng Mỹ Trung)
Edward’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi). Adult males generally have dark blue plumage. The crest feathers on the top of the head are white. They have orange-red eyes, and their beak is pale yellow or horn-colored. Their legs are reddish-purple. First discovered in the dense forests surrounding the limestone mountains between Quảng Bình and Quảng Trị provinces in Central Vietnam, at elevations of 50 – 200 meters in secondary forests. This species is listed in Vietnam’s Red Book. (Photo: Phùng Mỹ Trung)
