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Ring-necked Pheasant
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| © Tim
Zurowski Courtesy of eNature |
Species
description provided by eNature
Description
30-36" (76-91 cm). Larger than a chicken, with a long pointed
tail. Male has red eye patch, brilliant green head, and (usually)
white neck ring; body patterned in soft brown and iridescent russet.
Female mottled sandy brown, with shorter tail.
Voice
Loud crowing caw-cawk! followed by a resonant beating of the wings.
When alarmed flies off with a loud cackle.
Habitat
Farmlands, pastures, and grassy woodland edges.
Nesting
6-15 buff-olive eggs in a grass-lined depression concealed in dense
grass or weeds.
Range
Introduced from British Columbia, Alberta, Minnesota, Ontario, and
Maritime Provinces south to central California, Oklahoma, and Maryland.
Native to Asia.
Discussion
The North American birds of this species are descended from stock
brought from several different parts of the Old World and thus are
somewhat variable. They are very tolerant of humans and can get
by with a minimum of cover; they often nest on the outskirts of
large cities. Although successful in most grassland habitats, this
species has its North American headquarters in the central plains.
After the breakup of winter flocks, males establish large territories
and mate with several females. At first the chicks feed largely
on insects but soon shift to the adult diet of berries, seeds, buds,
and leaves.
