Ring-necked Pheasant; also known as the Common Pheasant.

This is a signature tail feather from a male Ring-necked Pheasant. These birds are large, chicken-like fowl with brilliant iridescent plumage, red facial skin, and extremely long, pointed tails that they hold at an upward angle while walking. Their flight is explosive but short-lived.

Rich dark brown to mahogany base with rhythmic, cream-to-golden buff horizontal barring. The barring is crisp and repeats at regular intervals. The rachis is light tan to yellowish-white.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane; stiff and rigid towards the rachis; lacks significant plumulaceous (downy) structure at the base compared to body feathers.

Smooth, stiff, and somewhat glossy on the dorsal surface; the vane is quite rigid and possesses a slight natural oiliness for weather resistance.

Extreme length, distinct dark brown and buff barring, and the stiff, tapered 'dagger' shape unique to the Phasianus genus.

Open country, agricultural fields, grasslands, hedgerows, and brushy areas near water sources.

Native to Asia; widely introduced and established across North America, Europe, and parts of Oceania/South America. Mostly non-migratory.

Primary consumer/granivore; serves as a major prey species for larger raptors and foxes. Plays a role in seed dispersal.

Wild Turkey (feathers are broader and darker), Cooper's Hawk (shorter, broader, and different barring pattern), Lady Amherst's Pheasant (white and black barring).

Male pheasants can have tails that make up more than half of their total body length. They use these feathers in elaborate 'wing-whirring' displays to attract females during the spring breeding season.

Good condition; minor fraying at the tip and along the margins suggest a naturally molted feather rather than one lost to predation.