Ring-necked Pheasant; also known as the Common Pheasant

This feather belongs to the male Ring-necked Pheasant, a large, chicken-like bird known for the male's iridescent green head, white neck ring, and copper-colored body plumage. Females are cryptically colored in mottled browns to blend into tall grass. They are famous for their loud, crowing 'kok-kok' calls and their ability to burst into fast, low-altitude flight when disturbed.

Rich golden-buff to warm brown base color; distinct dark chocolate-brown or blackish horizontal barring; outer vane is darker and mottled, while the inner vane shows clearer banding against a lighter background; the ventral side is paler

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs providing a rigid, aerodynamic surface; plumulaceous (fluffy) barbs are limited to the very base near the calamus

Stiff and smooth to the touch; matte finish on the vanes; the leading edge is notably more rigid and resistant to air pressure than the trailing edge

Strong horizontal dark banding on a buff background; extreme asymmetry of the vane; distinctive thick, light-colored calamus; characteristic Galliformes curvature

Agricultural lands, grasslands, brushy fields, and forest edges; prefers areas with tall cover for nesting and open areas for foraging

Native to Asia but widely introduced across North America, Europe, and parts of Oceania; non-migratory and highly successful in temperate climates

Primary consumer of seeds, grains, and insects; serves as a significant prey species for foxes, hawks, and owls; introduced status can occasionally impact native grassland bird nesting

Wild Turkey (much larger, darker/blacker banding), Ruffed Grouse (shorter, broader, different banding pattern), and Greater Prairie-Chicken (more uniform banding, smaller size)

Pheasants were first introduced to North America (Oregon) in 1881. They can reach flight speeds of up to 48 miles per hour when trying to escape a predator. Despite their flashy appearance, they spend most of their lives on the ground.

Excellent condition; barbs are fully intact with no visible fraying or 'fault bars'; suggests a freshly molted feather or one from a healthy adult bird with little environmental wear