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Ring-necked Pheasant (Common Pheasant)
Tail feather (central rectrix)

Ring-necked Pheasant (Common Pheasant)

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Galliformes, Family: Phasianidae, Genus: Phasianus, Species: P. colchicus

Family: Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, Partridges, and Turkeys)

Shape
Symmetrical, extremely long and tapering, ending in a narrow, blunt-pointed tip
Size
Approximately 18 to 24 inches long, typical for a central rectrix of an adult male Ring-necked Pheasant
Rarity
Common (abundant and widespread due to game bird introductions)
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Description

An exceptionally long, tapering tail feather with characteristic dark transverse barring on a pale golden-brown background, belonging to the male Ring-necked Pheasant, a large, ground-dwelling game bird known for its brilliant plumage and explosive flush

Colour & Pattern

Buff to warm golden-brown background crossed by distinctive, evenly spaced dark brown or black transverse bars (chevron pattern), featuring a striking coppery-pinkish iridescence along the edges

Barb Structure

Pennaceous near the rachis with relatively loose, soft barbs along the lower lengths, lacking a prominent afterfeather

Texture & Surface

Stiff yet flexible rachis with smooth, somewhat matte vanes that are soft toward the base

Key Features

Extraordinary length, pale golden-brown ground color, and prominent dark transverse barring coupled with coppery-pink reflections

Habitat

Agricultural fields, brushy hedgerows, open woodlands, wetlands, and grassy prairies

Geographic Range

Native to Asia, but widely introduced and established across North America and Europe

Ecological Role

Serves as an important prey species for various mammalian and avian predators, and helps control insect populations and weed seeds

Similar Species

Reeves's Pheasant or Lady Amherst's Pheasant, but distinguished by the specific warm buff coloration and simple dark transverse bars

Interesting Facts

The male pheasant's tail can make up more than half of its total length, acting as an aerodynamic rudder during sudden vertical takeoffs

Condition Notes

Good condition with minor wear at the extreme distal tip, intact rachis, and no major structural damage