Alternative name: Ring-necked Pheasant
- Phasianus colchicus
Identification
50-90 cm in length with a long tail, often accounting for half the total length. Male - barred bright brown plumage, green, purple and white markings, often including a white ring around the neck, green head with red patches. Female - duller mottled brown plumage.
Distribution
Asia. Introduced elsewhere.
Taxonomy
It is in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. Colchicus, refers to Colchis, a region in the Caucasus.
Habitat
Woodland and scrub.
Behaviour
Ground feeders. The diet includes grain, leaves and invertebrates.
They roost in trees. They nest on the ground; about 10 eggs are laid over a period of 14-21 days in April-June. The eggs are incubated for 23-26 days.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Phasianus colchicus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
New World Encyclopaedia; Animal Pictures Archive
External Links
