Photo ©2020 Estormiz
Click for a larger image
Photo ©2020 Estormiz
Click for a larger image
Common Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus
Family - Phasianidae
Also known as - Ring-necked Pheasant
A very familiar game-bird, the Pheasant is a large and colourful long-tailed game bird. Common in farmland and woodland throughout the UK, the male ♂ has a loud, sharp, croaking call that can be heard resonating through the countryside before the bird is actually seen. Pheasants eat seeds, berries, leaves and insects, they roost in trees and can form large flocks in the winter. During the breeding season one male may mate with many females ♀ , who then raise the chicks alone.
The males have a strikingly rich chestnut bronze plumage, a red face and wattle, a green neck with a white ring around it and a long tail, whilst the females are a mottled sandy brown, with an intricate pattern of black spots and bars.
Widespread and found almost everywhere in the UK especially in more northern areas. A native of Asia, Pheasants were introduced into much of Europe by the Romans, possibly arriving in the UK with the Normans in the 11th century. Largely forgotten and locally extinct up until the 19th century, they became a popular gamebird and are extensively reared by gamekeepers. They don't have a conservation status as they are extensivly bread for game shooting.
Also see the - Golden Pheasant species page.
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