Ring-necked Pheasant (Common Pheasant)

This feather belongs to the male Ring-necked Pheasant, a large, ground-dwelling bird known for its spectacular plumage. The bird features a metallic green head, a white neck ring, and a long, pointed tail. This specific feather contributes to the mottled, disruptive camouflage of the bird's back.

Base color is a rich coppery-brown or rufous. It features dark brown to black horizontal barring/spotting and a lighter buff-colored speckled pattern near the base.

Upper two-thirds are pennaceous with interlocked barbs; the base is highly plumulaceous (downy) for insulation.

Smooth and somewhat stiff in the pennaceous section; extremely soft and airy at the plumulaceous base; slightly iridescent sheen under direct light.

Rich copper color, distinct dark barring, and a large plumulaceous (downy) base common to ground-nesting game birds.

Agricultural fields, grasslands, brushy verges, and forest edges with plenty of cover.

Native to Asia; widely introduced and established across North America, Europe, and parts of Oceania.

Primary consumer (seeds/insects) and a major prey species for larger raptors and carnivorous mammals.

Ruffed Grouse (more grayish, different banding) or Wild Turkey (much larger, different barring structure).

Though they are strong flyers for short distances, pheasants prefer to run; they can reach speeds of up to 10 miles per hour on foot.

Fair to Good. The tip shows significant fraying and separation along the rachis, likely due to mechanical wear from the bird's movement through brush.