CGTN Nature found a graceful "forest fairy" in eastern China's Wuyi Mountains. It is one of the most beautiful birds to behold. 

Watch the complete story on silver pheasants here: 

CGTN Nature: Wuyi Mountains Series | Episode 4: Forest Fairies

In Chinese, silver pheasants are called baixian. "Bai" means white, and "xian" means a " quiet, graceful, ladylike bird" in Chinese characters.  Gracefulness and quietness are highly respected in Chinese aesthetics, as they are believed to be the traits of a noble character. In this sense, silver pheasants were very precious in ancient China. Many poets have written paeans praising them. 

China is home to three pheasant species: the silver pheasant, Lophura nycthemera; the kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos;  and Swinhoe's pheasant, Lophura swinhoii. Both the silver pheasant and kalij pheasant are classified as "least concern" species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List, which tracks species at risk for global extinction. Once hunted for their beautiful feathers, the birds are now doing fine under second-class national protection in China. 

Swinhoe's pheasant, faces some danger, though. This species, which is also known as the Taiwan blue pheasant, is endemic to Taiwan, China. This pheasant has a small population of 3,300 to 6,700, and its habit is in a limited range that is shrinking due to habitat degradation. It was also hunted in the past. For now, some populations are secure within protected areas. 

About Rare Animals in China

How many rare animals in China can you list? The panda, red panda, snub-nosed monkey, snow leopard?  We want to make sure you can name 100 or more.

China is home to rich biodiversity. This series will focus on the rare animals that inhabit China. Under national protection, they need us, and the first step of protection is to know who they are.

(Video clip credits to CGTN Nature film crew. Cover design by CGTN's Chen Yuyang)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)