Ringneck Pheasant

The Ringneck Pheasant, also called the common pheasant, is a bird from the Phasianidae (pheasant) family that is known for its dramatic coloration and also famous as a gamebird. Native to the Asian countries, these birds were introduced to many other nations, including the US, and are popular as a table bird as well.

Physical Description

Size: The length of the adult male of the nominate subspecies is 60–89 cm (24–35 in).

Weight: The weight of the body can range from 0.5 to 3 kg (1.1 to 6.6 lb).

Fur/Feather/Coat: The males have brightly colored feathers in the shades of golden, brown, green, purple, red and white feathers in different parts of the body, including tail, wings, neck, face and the head crown.

Eyes: Eyes are large and round with a white border around them.

Bills/Beaks: The pair of thick bills has a flat base to ensure a secure grip of the prey/foods.

Ringneck Pheasant

Sexual Dimorphism: These birds display striking differences between the sexes, and can easily be differentiated. While the males are vibrantly colorful, larger by size, and flaunt the characteristic ‘ring’ around the neck, the females are dull to gray or light brown, with a smaller tail and are much smaller by size.

Lifespan/Longevity

The average lifespan of the pheasant in the wild is 3 years, whereas anything between 11 and 18 in captivity.

Distribution

The native range of this bird begins from the Caspian Sea to the east across central Asia to China, as well as Japan, Korea, and Myanmar. It was introduced in the other parts of its modern range, which includes Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, and North America.

Habitat: Where do Ringneck Pheasants Live

These pheasants are birds that mostly prefer agricultural areas that have been naturally intermixed with areas of taller vegetation that they choose to use for cover. They are found in rural roadsides, hedgerows, brushy areas, and overgrown or recently harvested fields.

Ringneck Pheasant Pictures

Ringneck Pheasant Images

Classification of Species

Categorized under five (sometimes six) individual groups, the ringneck pheasant has around 30 subspecies including the Chinese ringneck pheasant from China, white-winged pheasant from Central Turkestan, Korean ring-necked pheasant from the Korean Peninsula, Caucasus pheasant from the Caucasus to west Turkestan, and so on.

Chinese Ringneck Pheasant Pictures

Chinese Ringneck Pheasant

Behavior

These are social birds that tend to live in flocks, or close to each other in small groups. During the winter months, the males make small groups and females, larger, while feeding at the ground level. While foraging, they use their feet to uncover food by scratching the ground and digging things up with the help of their bills.

Though they are non-migratory birds, temporary migration has been noticed in the northern populations, when the months of extreme winter compel these birds to shift temporarily to places with moderate conditions.

While the birds run, they raise their tail high at an angle of 45 degrees. When threatened, the birds take to flight. They are strong fliers and can flush almost vertically while taking off, with the males of the species having the habit of emitting a croaking call during that time.

Diet: What Do Ringneck Pheasants Eat

These are omnivorous birds that live on insects, as also, terrestrial non-insect arthropods, as well as, seeds, grains, fruits, and nuts all that are available in their respective habitats, depending upon the subspecies’ range.

Ringneck Pheasant Eggs

Ringneck Pheasant Chicks

Mating and Reproduction

These pheasants are polygamous, with a single cock (rooster) forming a harem of multiple hens. During the mating and nesting season, the males defend their territories by means of a raised perch and simultaneously giving crowing calls, briefly drumming with wings.

During courtship, the colorful and vibrant cocks move in a semi-circular pattern around the targeted hen, while tilting its tail and back feathers toward her and swelling the face wattles.

The females build the nest on the ground amidst thick covers of shrubs and bushes. Basically, it is a shallow depression lined with leaves, weeds, and grass.

Baby Ringneck Pheasant

Pictures of Ringneck Pheasants

Life Cycle

After a successful mating, the hens generally lay 10-12, or, at times even 15 or more, eggs. The eggs have an olive-buff, or sometimes even pale blue coloration.

The hens incubate the eggs for about 23-28 days. The newly born chicks are covered with soft down and are ready to leave the nest with the mother after a very short while, post-hatching, and are almost up to feed themselves. The fathers seldom accompany the brood and the mother.

Within around 10-12 days, the juveniles are ready to fly, though they stay close to their mother for 10 to 12 more weeks, by the time they are almost young adults.

Adaptations

1. These pheasants cleanse themselves by dust bathing, a behavioral adaptation that helps the bird remove dead epidermal cells, excess oil, and feathers.
2. They have long and very sturdy legs that assist them in taking their characteristic vertical flight easily.
3. Their four toes are equipped with sharp claws as a primary defense mechanism.
4. The excellent eyesight and sensitive hearing ability help them in the detection of their predators.
5. During the summer months, they breathe rather rapidly to exhale out excess body heat and maintain stable body temperature.
6. They are good swimmers, and can even escape into the water when chased by land animals.

Ringneck Pheasant Hen

Ringneck Pheasant Female

Predators

The list of predators of these birds is long throughout their range. However, the primary enemies of these pheasants include foxes, feral cats, coyotes, badgers, weasels, raccoons, skunks, minks, snapping turtles, goshawks, harriers, falcons, hawks, and owls, depending upon their habitats.

Conservation Status

The IUCN 3.1 has described this species as Least Concerned (‘LC’).

Ringneck Pheasant Photos

Ringneck Pheasants

Interesting Facts

• They have the ability to run at a speed of 8-10 miles per hour and fly at a rate of 35-45 miles per hour.
• The average duration of a fight between two belligerent roosters is 18 minutes.
• This is one of the species that were released in Britain, North America, and several other countries in large numbers for the purpose of shooting.
• Since their flight involves an excessive amount of energy, they are not able to fly more than 2 km at a stretch.

• Video

• References

  • 1. https://www.pheasantsforever.org/Habitat/Pheasant-Facts.aspx
    2. http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2013/hilger_jaco/adaptation.htm
    3. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ring-necked_Pheasant/lifehistory
    4. https://eol.org/pages/45510657