Ring-necked Pheasant (Common Pheasant)

This feather comes from a male Ring-necked Pheasant, an iconic game bird known for its brilliant plumage. The bird features a green iridescent head, red facial wattles, and a white neck ring. The body is a mosaic of copper, gold, and black feathers like this one.

Rich rufous/copper base color with a prominent iridescent black or dark indigo terminal band. Small black speckling or mottling is visible across the mid-section of the feather.

Mixed pennaceous and plumulaceous structure. The distal portion is tightly interlocked (pennaceous), while the base shows loose, downy plumulaceous barbs for insulation.

The surface is glossy and smooth on the distal (outer) half, exhibiting a slight metallic iridescence. The base is soft and matte.

Deep copper/rufous coloration, distinctive black terminal tip, and fine black speckling across the vane. Rigid rachis characteristic of ground-dwelling Galliformes.

Prefer open fields, grasslands, croplands (especially corn and wheat), and brushy areas with nearby water sources.

Native to Asia; widely introduced and established across North America, Europe, and parts of Oceania. They are non-migratory residents.

Primarily a seed and insect eater. They serve as a significant prey species for foxes, hawks, and owls. They indicate healthy grassland and agricultural mosaics.

Ruffed Grouse feathers (finer barring, less iridescence) or Wild Turkey feathers (much larger, different banding), but the copper-and-black combo is unique to the pheasant.

The Ring-necked Pheasant is the state bird of South Dakota. Despite their heavy bodies, they can reach flight speeds of up to 48 miles per hour when flushed.

Good condition, though it showing signs of natural wear (fraying) at the edges and some separation of the barbs near the base. Likely a naturally molted feather.