Common Pheasant

The Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is a colorful bird renowned for the striking plumage of the male. There are many color forms of the male Common pheasant, ranging in color from nearly white to almost black in some melanistic examples. The adult male has a long, brown-streaked black tail, accounting for almost 50 cm (20 in) of the total length. The body plumage is barred bright gold or fiery copper-red and chestnut-brown plumage with iridescent sheen of green and purple, but the rump uniform is sometimes blue. The wing coverage is white or cream and black-barred markings are common on the tail. The head is bottle green with a small crest and distinctive red wattle. Behind the face are two ear-tufts, that make the pheasant more alert.

General Information:

Common Name:Common pheasant
Scientific Name:Phasianus colchicus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order:Galliformes
Family:Phasianidae

Description

Distribution

Common pheasants are native to Asia and parts of Europe; their original range extends from the Balkans, and the Black and Caspian Seas to Manchuria, Siberia, Korea, Mainland China, and Taiwan.

Habitat

These birds can be found in woodland, farmland, scrub, and wetlands. In their natural habitat, Common pheasants live in grassland near the water with small copses of trees.

Mating Habits

Common pheasants are polygynous, and males are often accompanied by a harem of several females which they attract with their beautiful plumage. Females produce a clutch of around 8 to 15 pale olives in color eggs, that are laid over a 2–3-week period from April to June. The incubation period is about 22-27 days. The chicks stay near the hen (female) for several weeks but can leave the nest when only a few hours old. After hatching they grow quickly, flying after 12-14 days, and resembling adults by only 15 weeks of age. Young Common pheasants usually become reproductively mature and start breeding when they are 1 year old.

Diet

Common pheasants are omnivores. They eat a wide variety of animal and vegetable type-food, like fruit, seeds, grain, mast, berries, and leaves as well as a wide range of invertebrates, such as leatherjackets, ant eggs, wireworms, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and other insects. They will also consume small vertebrates like lizards, field voles, small mammals, and occasionally small birds.

Threats

Common pheasants are widespread throughout their range; however, locally some populations of these birds suffer from habitat loss and uncontrolled hunting.

IUCN Status

Least Concern