Ring-Necked Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
Aves › Galliformes › Phasianidae › Phasianus
Conservation status: least_concern
The Ring-necked Pheasant is a large, colorful game bird with iridescent plumage, featuring a distinctive white ring around the male's neck and a long, pointed tail that makes up more than half its body length. Females are much duller brown and less conspicuous than the flashy males, which sport emerald-green heads, red face patches, and copper-bronze bodies.
How To Identify
Males are highly colorful, featuring iridescent green or blue plumage and a distinct black 'ring' around the neck. Females are considerably plainer, sporting mottled brown feathers that provide excellent camouflage.
Habitat
It inhabits open grasslands, agricultural fields, marshes, and brushy areas with nearby cover, preferring temperate and subtropical regions.
Behaviour
Males are highly territorial during breeding season and perform elaborate displays with fanned tails and vibrant plumage to attract females while producing their characteristic calls.
Native Range
The Ring-Necked Pheasant is native to areas ranging from the Caucasus and Central Asia to eastern China.
Did You Know?
Male Ring-necked Pheasants produce an extraordinarily loud, two-syllable call that can be heard up to a mile away, often followed by rapid wing-beating that creates a distinctive whirring sound.
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