Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Least Concern
Look out for this striking game bird with its iridescent plumage and long tail strutting through fields and woodlands.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The male Common Pheasant is a spectacular bird. It boasts a vibrant green head, red facial wattles, and a white neck ring. Its body is decorated with golden-brown feathers, often with a coppery sheen, and it has a long, pointed tail.

Females are much more subdued, with mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage. Both sexes have strong legs and feet adapted for scratching and running.

Size

Length

50cm to 90cm

Wingspan

70cm to 90cm

Weight

720g to 1.6kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Green Red

Secondary Colour

Blue White Black

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Grey

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour (Female)

Black

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Grey

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Common Pheasant can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Common Pheasant can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Common Pheasant can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Common Pheasant is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Common Pheasants thrive in various habitats, including woodland edges, farmland, and grasslands with adequate cover. They are particularly fond of areas with a mix of open ground for feeding and dense vegetation for shelter.

Originally native to Asia, pheasants have been widely introduced and have established populations across Europe, North America, and parts of Australia and New Zealand. They are especially common in the UK and parts of the US Midwest.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Pheasant. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
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Resident

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Afghanistan Albania Andorra Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Canada China Croatia Cuba Czech Republic Denmark Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iran Ireland Italy Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Myanmar Netherlands New Zealand North Korea Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Serbia Slovakia Slovenia South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Tajikistan The Bahamas The United Kingdom Turkey Turkmenistan Ukraine United States of America Uzbekistan Vietnam

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 75

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Pheasant displays considerable agility, particularly in its ability to run swiftly through varied terrain and take off explosively when startled. Its capacity to fly at speeds up to 60 km/h when escaping danger demonstrates impressive aerial agility for a ground-dwelling bird.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong compared to some birds of prey, the Common Pheasant possesses robust legs and feet adapted for scratching and running. Its ability to take off quickly and sustain short flights indicates moderate strength for its size.

Adaptability 80

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Common Pheasants exhibit high adaptability, thriving in various habitats from sea level to 2,000 metres elevation. Their success in colonising new areas following introduction and their omnivorous diet further demonstrate their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 55

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Male pheasants can be territorial and aggressive during breeding season, establishing harems and competing with other males. However, they are not typically aggressive towards humans or other species, preferring to flee rather than confront perceived threats.

Endurance 65

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

While not known for long-distance flights, Common Pheasants demonstrate good endurance in their ground-dwelling lifestyle. They can cover significant distances on foot and maintain vigilance throughout the day. Their ability to survive in diverse climates also suggests moderate endurance.

Diet

Common Pheasants are omnivorous, eating seeds, grains, and insects. They forage on the ground, scratching their feet to uncover food. In agricultural areas, they often feed on crop residues and occasionally damage crops.

Behaviour

Common Pheasants are ground-dwelling birds that prefer to run rather than fly when disturbed. They are often seen strutting in open fields, with males displaying to females during breeding season.

These birds are typically solitary or found in small groups, except during winter when they may form larger flocks.

Vocalisation

The male Common Pheasant's call is a loud, harsh 'kok-kok' often followed by noisy wing-flapping. This distinctive sound, described as a cross between a crow and a honk, is frequently heard in rural areas. Females make softer, clucking noises, especially when with chicks.

Nesting & Breeding

The breeding season for Common Pheasants typically begins in spring. Males establish territories and attract females with loud calls and elaborate displays, fanning their tails and fluffing their feathers.

Females construct a simple nest on the ground, often hidden in tall grass or under dense shrubs. They lay 7-15 olive-brown eggs in a clutch.

Incubation lasts about 23-26 days and is carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial, able to leave the nest and feed themselves shortly after hatching, but remain with the hen for several weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Common Pheasant is not globally threatened, its populations can be affected by changes in farming practices and habitat loss. In many areas, populations are maintained through releases for hunting, which can have positive and negative impacts on local ecosystems.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

160,000,000 - 219,999,999 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for pheasants in field edges and hedgerows, especially early morning or late afternoon.
  • Listen for their distinctive 'kok-kok' call, often followed by loud wing beats.
  • In the UK and US, pheasants are commonly seen in agricultural areas and game reserves.
  • Be patient and move quietly; pheasants will often freeze or run rather than fly when approached.

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Ring-necked Pheasant

Family:

Phasianidae

Average Lifespan

3 to 7 years

Predators

Common Pheasants face threats from various predators including foxes, hawks, owls, and in some areas, feral cats and dogs.

Did You Know?

  1. Pheasants can fly at speeds up to 60 km/h when escaping danger.
  2. They were introduced to Britain by the Romans and to North America in the 1880s.
  3. Male pheasants can have harems of several females during breeding season. It is not unknown for these harems to consist of ten hens which the cock confines to his own distinct territorial area.
  4. During the shooting season in the UK, which falls annually between October 1st and February 1st, over 35,000,000 birds are released in organised shoots.

References

  1. 1 2 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Phasianus colchicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T45100023A85926819.

    View source

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