Ring-necked Pheasant (Common Pheasant)

This feather belongs to the Ring-necked Pheasant, a large, long-tailed bird. Males are spectacular with iridescent green heads and red face wattles, while females are camouflaged in buff and brown mottling. Their flight is characterized by explosive takeoffs and short, rapid glides.

Mottled brown and buff pattern. The outer web shows distinctive light-colored 'ladder' or 'eye' spotting against a darker tawny-brown background. The inner web is more uniform grayish-brown.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous structure throughout most of the vane; plumulaceous (downy) at the very base near the calamus. Condition appears slightly frayed.

Relatively stiff and waxy on the dorsal surface for aerodynamics; matte finish with a slight velvety feel common to ground-dwelling game birds.

Distinctive buff-colored horizontal barring or mottling on a brown background; rounded tip; rigid brown rachis.

Open countryside, agricultural fields, grasslands, and brushy hedgerows. They prefer areas with tall grass for cover and nearby grain sources.

Native to Asia but widely introduced across North America, Europe, and Australia. Common across the northern and central United States.

Serves as an important prey species for hawks, foxes, and coyotes. They are seed eaters and can help in the dispersal of certain plant species.

Ruffed Grouse feathers (smaller, different barring), Wild Turkey (larger, more distinct white/black bands), and female Northern Harrier (longer, more tapered).

Pheasants are capable of bursts of speed up to 48 mph when flying and prefer running over flying to escape predators. They were first successfully introduced to the US in Oregon in 1881.

Fair to Good. There is some minor 'zipper' separation of the barbs along the edges and some wear at the tip, likely from contact with vegetation while on the ground.