I came across this bird when I visited Wat Tham Pha Plong at the base of Doi Chiang Dao, a lovely mountain north of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It was the first time I had seen a Silver Pheasant this close up; but this was no ordinary bird, it was ‘tame’ but highly aggressive. When I arrived at the top of the steps near the monks living (sleeping) accommodation it was busy attacking a couple of ladies who had retreated back down the stairs. It then lunged at me and I kept it at bay with my extended monopod! Doing a bit of ‘Googling’ it appears that this bird has been there for a couple of years (1). I think what it was doing was territorial; it was aggressively defending the patch where presumably it got fed, or received some scraps from the resident monks. Anyway, after a few photos I retreated back down the steps and left it alone to wait for its dinner!

1) http://norfolkbirderinthailand.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/silver-pheasant.html