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Ring-necked Pheasant (Common Pheasant)
Body contour feather with prominent flank/rump feather characteristics

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 to slightly asymmetrical vane, rounded tip, broad paddle-like or spade-shaped outline.
Size
Approximately 3 to 4 inches long, characteristic of a male flank or rump feather for this species.
Rarity
Common, widely distributed and abundant across suitable agricultural and grassland habitats.
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Description

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a large, ground-dwelling gamebird. Males are brilliantly colored with a glossy green head, red wattles, a distinct white neck ring, and rich copper-brown body plumage adorned with intricate black markings. Females are mottled brown with cryptic camouflage patterns.

Colour & Pattern

Rich golden-brown or chestnut-brown background featuring a distinct, bold black or dark purplish-black ocellus (spot) near the rounded tip, bordered by a lighter tan or buff margin.

Barb Structure

Pennaceous at the upper exposed tip with tightly interlocked barbs and barbules, transitioning to a soft, fluffy, plumulaceous (downy) base with an aftershaft.

Texture & Surface

Smooth and silky pennaceous tip with a matte appearance, transitioning to an extremely soft, loose, and fluffy plumulaceous base.

Key Features

Rich golden-brown base coloration combined with a striking, solitary dark round spot (ocellus) near the rounded feather tip.

Habitat

Agricultural fields, brushy hedgerows, open woodlands, scrublands, and wet meadows.

Geographic Range

Native to Asia, widely introduced and naturalized across North America, Europe, and parts of New Zealand and Australia in open agricultural and grassland regions.

Ecological Role

Acts as both a seed and insect consumer and a prey species for various mammalian and avian carnivores in agricultural ecosystems.

Similar Species

Other gallinaceous birds such as partridges or certain grouse species, but distinguished by the specific rich golden-brown hue and prominent dark flank spot.

Interesting Facts

Ring-necked Pheasants are strong runners that prefer to escape predators on foot rather than fly, though they can burst into powerful, rapid, short-distance flights when flushed.

Condition Notes

Good condition with minor wear at the very tip, fully intact pennaceous vane, and clean plumulaceous base.