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| + | '''Alternative name: Ring-necked Pheasant''' | ||
;[[:Category:Phasianus|Phasianus]] colchicus | ;[[:Category:Phasianus|Phasianus]] colchicus | ||
[[Image:Common_Pheasant.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Marmot<br />male]] | [[Image:Common_Pheasant.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Marmot<br />male]] | ||
[[Image:pheasant_female.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by postcardcv<br />female]] | [[Image:pheasant_female.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by postcardcv<br />female]] | ||
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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
The adult pheasant is 50-90 cm in length with a long tail, often accounting for half the total length. The male (cock or rooster) has barred bright brown plumage and green, purple and white markings, often including a white ring around the neck, and the head is green with distinctive red patches. This bird is also called the Common or English Pheasant, or just Pheasant. The males are polygynous and are often accompanied by a harem of several females.<br> | The adult pheasant is 50-90 cm in length with a long tail, often accounting for half the total length. The male (cock or rooster) has barred bright brown plumage and green, purple and white markings, often including a white ring around the neck, and the head is green with distinctive red patches. This bird is also called the Common or English Pheasant, or just Pheasant. The males are polygynous and are often accompanied by a harem of several females.<br> | ||
The female (hen) is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage all over, similar to that of the partridge. | The female (hen) is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage all over, similar to that of the partridge. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | + | Widespread | |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
The Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), otherwise known as the Ring-necked Pheasant or Chinese Pheasant is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. They are native to Asia but have been widely introduced elsewhere, often as a game bird. The specific epithet, colchicus, refers to Colchis, a region in the Caucasus. | The Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), otherwise known as the Ring-necked Pheasant or Chinese Pheasant is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. They are native to Asia but have been widely introduced elsewhere, often as a game bird. The specific epithet, colchicus, refers to Colchis, a region in the Caucasus. | ||
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==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Phasianus+colchicus}} | {{GSearch|Phasianus+colchicus}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Phasianus]] | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Phasianus]] |
Revision as of 06:35, 10 July 2008
Alternative name: Ring-necked Pheasant
- Phasianus colchicus
Identification
The adult pheasant is 50-90 cm in length with a long tail, often accounting for half the total length. The male (cock or rooster) has barred bright brown plumage and green, purple and white markings, often including a white ring around the neck, and the head is green with distinctive red patches. This bird is also called the Common or English Pheasant, or just Pheasant. The males are polygynous and are often accompanied by a harem of several females.
The female (hen) is much less showy, with a duller mottled brown plumage all over, similar to that of the partridge.
Distribution
Widespread
Taxonomy
The Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), otherwise known as the Ring-necked Pheasant or Chinese Pheasant is a gamebird in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. They are native to Asia but have been widely introduced elsewhere, often as a game bird. The specific epithet, colchicus, refers to Colchis, a region in the Caucasus.
Habitat
The birds are found on wooded land and scrub.
Behaviour
They feed on the ground on grain, leaves and invertebrates, but roost in trees at night. They nest on the ground, producing a clutch of around ten eggs over a two-three week period in April to June. The incubation period is about 23-26 days. The chicks stay near the hen for several weeks after hatching but grow quickly, resembling adults by only 15 weeks of age.
While pheasants are able short-distance fliers, they prefer to run: but if startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive "whirring" wing sound. Their flight speed is only 27 to 38 mph when cruising but when chased they can fly up to 60 mph.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Phasianus colchicus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
