Common Pheasant (Ring-necked Pheasant)

This is a central tail feather from a male Common Pheasant. The male is a large, colorful bird with a copper-colored body, a dark green head with red facial wattles, and a white neck ring. The tail is exceptionally long and pointed, used in courtship displays to attract females (hens), who are cryptically colored in mottled brown.

Golden-tan or buff base color with distinct, dark brown to black horizontal bars (banding). The center of the vane near the rachis often shows fine dark speckling or vermiculation. The underside is paler and more matte.

Fully pennaceous and tightly interlocked along the main vane; slightly plumulaceous at the very base (calamus). Typical stiff, hair-like texture of Galliformes.

Relatively stiff and coarse; the surface has a slight waxy gloss but is largely matte compared to the iridescent neck feathers.

Extreme length for a narrow feather; distinct dark horizontal bars on a buff background; stiff, thick rachis; tapered, pointed tip.

Open countryside, agricultural fields, woodland edges, hedgerows, and grasslands. Often found in areas with thick cover for nesting.

Native to Asia but widely introduced globally; common throughout Europe (including the UK/Banham area) and North America. Generally non-migratory.

High-level herbivore and insectivore; serves as a major prey species for larger carnivores. Often used as an indicator species for the health of farmland ecosystems.

Lady Amherst's Pheasant (white/black bars), Golden Pheasant (shorter, differently colored), or female Wild Turkey (much broader and more rounded).

Pheasants are capable of short, fast bursts of flight but prefer to run from danger. They were originally brought to Europe by the Romans and later reintroduced by Normans for hunting and food.

Fair to Good. There is significant 'zipper' separation (splitting of the barbs) along the edges, likely due to mechanical wear or handling after being found.

Banham zoo