Ring-necked Pheasant; also known as Common Pheasant

This is a body feather from a male Ring-necked Pheasant, one of the world's most colorful game birds. The bird is large with a long, pointed tail. Males exhibit a metallic green head, red wattles, and a white neck ring, while the body is a mosaic of copper, gold, and cream like the pattern seen on this feather.

Creamy-buff to pale tan base with distinct 'U' shaped or chevron-like dark brown horizontal barred patterns. The tip features a speckled or vermiculated dark brown 'cap' which is diagnostic for male pheasant body plumage.

Transition from plumulaceous (downy) at the base to pennaceous (structured) at the distal end; loosely interlocked barbs at the tip giving a fringed appearance

Velvety and soft to the touch; the distal end has a matte finish while the plumulaceous base is extremely airy and fluffy.

Bold 'V' or 'U' shaped dark barring on a buff background; extensive downy base (afterfeather area); speckled/mottled tip pattern; non-iridescent matte texture.

Open fields, grasslands, agricultural lands with nearby brushy cover, and forest edges.

Native to Asia but widely introduced and established across North America, Europe, and parts of Oceania. Largely non-migratory permanent residents.

Primary consumer/granivore; serves as a major prey species for raptors and foxes. Introduced populations can impact local invertebrate levels.

Ruffed Grouse (shorter, different barring), Wild Turkey (larger, darker, more iridescent), or female Ring-necked Pheasant (more muted, less distinct 'U' barring).

Pheasants were first brought to North America from China in 1881. They can burst into flight at speeds up to 48 miles per hour when startled.

Fair to Good. The feather shows significant disarray of the barbs (unzipped), likely due to mechanical wear or being handled after molting. No visible fault bars.