Palawan Peacock-pheasant 

P O LY P L EC T R ON   N AP OL EO N I S

N AP O L E O N ’ S P EA C O C K - P H EA S A N T
This is the Palawan peacock-pheasant.
Not to be mistaken for other species like:

Indian Peafowl Green Peafowl

 Key Facts
Key facts TAXONOMY
2010 IUCN( International Union for
Kingdom
Conservation of Nature)Red List status
Vulnerable Animalia
Family Phylum
Phasianidae (Grouse, pheasants and
Chordata
partridges)
Species name author Class
Lesson, 1831 Aves
Population estimate
Order
2,500-9,999 Mature individuals
Population trend Galliformes
decreasing Family
Range estimate (breeding/resident)
Phasinidae
11,500 km2
Country endemic?
Genus
Yes (Philippines) Polyplectron
 Status

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List

2007 and listed on Appendix I of CITES(Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild
Flora and Fauna)
Appendix I lists species that are the most
endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants.
These are threatened with extinction and CITES
generally prohibits commercial international trade in
specimens of these species. However trade may be
allowed under exceptional circumstances, e.g. for
scientific research
 Palawan Peacock
 Male
 Size: 50 cm
 Weight: 436 g
 Long, pointed, dark crest which is dark
metallic green as is the crown and neck
 Bare red orbital skin
 Rest of the head, underparts, and flight
feathers are black.
 Black back, rump and tail, speckled with
rusty brown spots and with two rows of
large green-blue ocelli(eye-like patterns)
on tail.
 Voice Loud angk repeated regularly
 Extremely shy, best located by call
 Considered to be most beautiful of the
peacock species.
 Male is attractively colored to attract a
female.
 Palawan Peahen
Female
Size: 40 cm
Weight: 322 g
 Crest is shorter and often held flat
Face is pale gray that extends from above the
eyes to the throat
Mainly mottled brown, has a crest that is
brown, and isn’t as visible as the male.
Off-white throat ear-coverts and supercilium
Tail is much shorter than the male’s with very
faint ocelli on the feathers.
Similar to Philippine
Scrubfowl Megapodius cumingii or female
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus, but is shorter-
legged, longer-tailed and more uniform
brown
Voice Loud angk repeated regularly
Extremely shy, best located by call
 Habitat

can be found only on the island of Palawan.

they inhabit the island’s humid, coastal lowland forest
and deep forests, which are rapidly diminishing due to
deforestation.
several habitat sites are known to exist in the central
mountain range. Due to deforestation, it is now thought
that they are becoming increasingly restricted to the
island’s mountains.
Lives, feeds and nests on the floor of primary and
secondary forest on flat and rolling terrain, up to around
800 metres above sea level.
 Range and Population

 Polyplectron napoleonis is endemic to

the Philippines, where it occurs on Palawan. It is
known from 20 localities throughout the island, with
records from at least 11 since 1980. Local reports
suggest it has a wider distribution. In the early
1970s, despite local extinctions, it was not
considered particularly rare. In 1995, its fragmented
population was estimated to number less than
10,000. It is evidently still declining.
 Threats to its survival:

Deforestation due to illegal logging which resulted to

it having a limited range and declining habitat (it is
becoming increasingly restricted to the island’s
mountains).
Increase mining activity for chromine and other
minerals and metal ores.
Large numbers being hunted for food and trapped
for live trade to zoos and aviculture enthusiasts.
Hunted for its feathers.
 Conservation Efforts Underway

A conservation initiative proposed by The World Conservation Union, Birdlife

International, and the Species Survival Commission recommends that people
should conduct surveys to identify suitable habitat, particularly in the south part of
the island.
If suitable sites are found, they should be proposed for protection status.
Hunting and bird trade should be controlled more effectively.
Another way to preserve the species is to carefully manage the captive population to
minimize loss of genetic diversity.
The entire island was officially made a game reserve in 1983, in which hunting
became illegal, but hunting laws are difficult to enforce effectively. This pheasant
also occurs in two protected areas on the island, El Nido Marine Reserve and St
Paul's Subterranean River National Park.
Recently, commercial logging activities on the island were suspended by
presidential decree, but nearly all the forest land is still leased out to logging
operations, and illegal logging evidently continues.
 Conservation Efforts Proposed

Allocate greater resources towards more effective control

of hunting in Palawan forests and initiate conservation
awareness campaigns amongst forest product collectors.
Continue surveys to assess distribution, status and
habitat requirements in remaining lowland forests and
secondary habitats, particularly south of Brooke's Point,
on the slopes of Mt Victoria and in remaining forests in
the north.
Formally protect forests at Iwahig.
Support the proposed extension of Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River National Park.
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
 What you can do:

Educate yourselves and be aware

Spread the word
Don’t support illegal trade of endangered animals
Join a conservation organization
Recycle forest products