TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Alishan National Forest Recreation Area on Wednesday urged the public not to startle protected Mikado pheasants and to avoid close-up photography that may disturb their natural behavior.
In a Facebook post, park officials reminded visitors to be respectful, particularly during foraging periods. The Mikado pheasant, named after the Japanese word for “emperor,” is featured on a Taiwan banknote and was once on the verge of extinction. Thanks to conservation efforts, its population has stabilized at around 10,000.
According to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s Chiayi Branch, the pheasant can be seen year-round, foraging around 7 a.m. and again between 2-3 p.m. at locations such as the Xiaogaoyuan Viewing Platform, Zhushan Helipad, Tashan Trail, and Duigaoyue Viewing Platform. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful during these times.
Surveillance cameras have been installed in areas where the birds are frequently seen to prevent illegal activities such as using food to lure them for photography. Those who ignore warnings and harass or harm wildlife may face penalties such as Article 42 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, which includes up to two years in prison and fines ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$500,000 (US$3,270–US$16,340), per CNA.
Visitors encountering the pheasants are urged to follow the “Five Do Nots” of birdwatching: do not frighten, lure, chase, damage, or capture. Park officials encouraged people to “use only your eyes and camera to record their beauty and create lasting memories.”
The male Mikado pheasant is known for its striking plumage and long flowing tail, earning it recognition as one of Taiwan’s national birds alongside the Taiwan blue magpie. The female, by contrast, has more muted coloring for natural camouflage.
British ornithologist Walter Goodfellow first identified the species in 1906 after discovering two tail feathers from a male bird in an Indigenous headdress. When the feathers were sent back to Britain for study, the species was formally recognized as new to science.
Mikado pheasants are shy and cautious by nature, inhabiting misty mountain forests at elevations between 1,800 and 3,800 meters. They are considered a valuable indicator species for Taiwan’s high-altitude ecosystems.
