Lineated Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos lineata)

The taxonomy of the Lineated Kalij Pheasant has been debated for decades. While we are including at as a subpecies of the Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos, several authors and scientists believe it to be a subspecies of the Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera.

Scientific classification: Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Aves, Order Galliformes, Family: Phasianidae, Genus: Lophura, Species: Lophura leucomelanos, Subspecies: Lophura leucomelanos lineata

Other Names: Lineated Pheasant, Lineated Kalij

Range: Southern Myanmar to northwestern Thailand

Subspecies: The taxonomy of the Lineated Kalij Pheasant has been debated for decades. It is often considered a subpecies of the Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos, while several authors and scientists believe it to be a subspecies of the Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera. The debate and studies seem to be fluid and change multiple times.

Habitat: Tropical forests

Status in Wild: The populations of the eastern subspecies of the Kalij Pheasant - the Lineated Kalij L. l. lineata, Crawfurd's Kalij L. l. crawfurdi, and Black-breasted Kalij L. l. lathami are declining due to habitat loss.

Aviculture: The Lineated Kalij is very similar in behavior and care to the Silver Pheasant. The purity of birds in American aviaries is in question as they can be confused and bred with Silver Pheasants and very similar Crawfurd's Kalij. Record keeping is a vital for these subspecies and cooperation among aviculturists is needed.

Lineated Kalij are native to tropical forests, but are quite hardy in cooler areas. However, during extremes, protection is required. Aviaries should be well planted, we used various willows, Rhododendron, and pine in their aviaries which the birds would perch among the branches and use the undergrowth for cover. Grass was nearly impossible to keep unless in a very large aviary, so we used gravel and sand on the aviary floor. They enjoyed a daily shower from the hose sprinkler during the warmer months, more so than other pheasant species.

Interesting Facts: Kalij is often pronounced in English as: KA-LEEGE or KA-LEE-GEE.

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External Links



• Kalij Pheasant - birdfinding.info
• Kalij Pheasant - BirdLife International Factsheet
• Kalij Pheasant - eBird
• Kalij Pheasant - iNaturalist
• Kalij Pheasant - Thai National Parks

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