Measurements
Both Sexes
- Length
- 19.7–27.6 in
50–70 cm - Wingspan
- 22–33.9 in
56–86 cm - Weight
- 17.6–105.8 oz
500–3000 g
Other Names
- Common Pheasant
- Faisan de Colchide (French)
- Faisán vulgar, Faisán de collar (Spanish)
Cool Facts
- In very bad weather, pheasants are known to stay on a roost for several days without eating.
- Pheasants practice "harem-defense polygyny" where one male keeps other males away from a small group of females during the breeding season.
- Across the native range, about 34 races of the species are recognized. The Green Pheasant race is sometimes considered a different species. Multiple introductions of different races have been made in North America.
Habitat
Grassland
Agricultural land, especially cultivated lands interspersed with grass ditches, hedges, marshes, woodland borders, and brushy groves.
Food
Omnivore
Seeds, especially cultivated grain, grasses, leaves, roots, wild fruits and nuts, and insects.
Nesting
Nesting Facts
- Egg Description
- Uniform olive brown.
- Condition at Hatching
- Open-eyed and covered in down, able to leave the nest and feed itself.
Nest Description
On ground, in tall grass or weeds. A scrape in ground or vegetation. Unlined or sparsely lined with vegetation, and occasionally a few breast feathers from female.
Nest Placement
Ground
Behavior
Ground Forager
Scratches on ground and digs with bill for food.Frequently takes dust baths.
Conservation
Least Concern
Populations declining, probably because of changes in farming practices.
Credits
- Giudice, J. H., and J. T. Ratti. 2001. Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). In The Birds of North America, No. 572 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.