PHEASANTS - Phasianidae
Rheinarts Crested Argus
Rheinartia ocellata ocellata

• Distribution

The Crested Argus is found in the center and southern part of Vietnam. They are also found in Lao.

• Habitat

The Crested Argus lives and makes its nests in wet forest on hills and in mountainous areas. The nests are on the ground and under some brushes so they are always really hard to find.

• Behaviour

This animal has a really particular sound. Its shouts can be heared from long distances especially if they shout at night. They built their nests on the ground under some bushes, therefore they are very difficult to find or to recognize.
In the wild this animal eats fruits, leaves, rice, worms and all kind of insects. In the Hanoi Zoo they are fed fruit, insect and some little pieces of meat.
The breeding season for this animal is in March. The hen lays two eggs which can incubate for 25 to 26 days and the eggs weigh about 75 g.
It’s a beautiful bird and this bird has a big value for the Hanoi Zoo, not only that it attracts a lot of visitors as well as it is a protected animal. Hanoi Zoo is very proud to the fact that in 1997 the Crested Argus gave birth succesfully. After this first birth the Argus bred well.

Văn Nam (Theo hanoizoo)