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Ring-necked Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus
Ring-necked Pheasant

These birds are mostly known as Common Pheasants.

Sam Crowe
Updated: May 4, 2023
Birds IDENTIFICATION

Introduced to the U.S. from Asia, the Ring-necked Pheasant has become established in many areas, and is still being raised in captivity and released in others. Ring-necked Pheasants have a high reproductive output, and are also known to lay their eggs in the nests of many other birds.

The territories of male Ring-necked Pheasants are only defended until the females are done nesting, and groups of pheasants are often seen during the fall and winter. Pheasants have large clutches of eggs to make up for their high mortality rate. Few pheasants live to be more than three years old.

Length: 21-35 inches
Wing span: 31 inches

 

Description of the Ring-necked Pheasant

BREEDING MALE

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a game bird with a long, pointed tail and rounded wings with barred flight feathers.

Males are a coppery-brown color with a gray rump, red face, greenish neck, white collar, and very long, brownish, barred tail.

Female

Females are mostly brownish with black markings on the upperparts and flanks and a shorter tail.

Seasonal change in appearance

None.

Juvenile

Juveniles are similar to females.

Habitat

Ring-necked Pheasants are found in agricultural areas, fence lines, and brushy edges.

Diet

Ring-necked Pheasants eat a varied diet of grain, seeds, berries, insects and worms.

Behavior

Ring-necked Pheasants forage on the ground, sometimes scratching with their feet.

Range

The Ring-necked Pheasant is native to Asia and was introduced to North America. It now occurs across much of the mid to upper latitudes of the U.S.  Its North American population has declined slightly in recent decades.

Fun Facts

Ring-necked Pheasants sometimes lay eggs in the nest of another female, resulting in extra large clutches.

Because of its popularity as a game bird, many pheasants are raised and released each year.

Vocalizations

The call is a loud, rough, two-note crow.

 

Similar Species

  • No other game bird has such a long, narrow tail.

Nesting

The nest is a depression in the ground lined with grasses and leaves, usually in dense cover.

Number: Usually lay 10-12 eggs.
Color: Olive.

Incubation and fledging:
The young hatch at about 23-28 days, and leave the nest almost immediately, though continuing to associate with the female for some time.

 

Bent Life History of the Ring-necked Pheasant

About the Author

Sam Crowe
Sam is the founder of Birdzilla.com. He has been birding for over 30 years and has a world list of over 2000 species. He has served as treasurer of the Texas Ornithological Society, Sanctuary Chair of Dallas Audubon, Editor of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's "All About Birds" web site and as a contributing editor for Birding Business magazine. Many of his photographs and videos can be found on the site.

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