Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Other Names: Pheasant, Ring-necked Pheasant, Game Pheasant, True Pheasant; see subspecies for others.

Range: Broad range over much of temperate Asia; introduced nearly worldwide including North America, Europe, Chile, Hawaii, Tasmania and New Zealand.

Subspecies: Black-necked Pheasants – Southern Caucasus Pheasant (P. colchicus colchicus), Talisch Caucasian Pheasant (P. c. talischensis), Northern Caucasian Pheasant (P. c. spetentrionalis), Persian Pheasant (P .c. persicus); White-winged Pheasants – Prince of Wales’s Pheasant (. c. principalis), Zarundy’s Pheasant (P. c. zarudnyi), Bianchi’s Pheasant (P. c. bianchii), Khivan Pheasant (P. c. chrysomelas), Zerafshan Pheasant (P. c. zerafschanicus); Kirghiz Pheasants – Kirghiz Pheasant (P. c. mongolicus), Syr Daria Pheasant (P. c. turcestanicus); Tarim Basin Pheasants – Tarim Pheasant (P. c. tarimensis), Yarkland Pheasant (P. c. sahwii); Grey-rumped Pheasants – Kobdo Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. hagenbecki), Manchurian Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. pallasi), Korean Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. karpowi), Shansi Pheasant (P. c. kiangsuensis), Alashan Pheasant (P. c. alaschanicus), Gobi Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. edzinensis), Satchu Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. satscheuensis), Zaidam Pheasant (P. c. vlangalii), Strauch’s Pheasant (P. c. strauchi), Sohokhoto Pheasant (P. c. sohokhotensis), Sungpan Pheasant (P. c. suehschanensis), Stone’s Pheasant (P. c. elegans), Rothschild’s Pheasant (P. c. rothschildi), Kweichow Pheasant (P. c. decollatus), Tonkinese Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. takatsukasae), Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. torquatus), Formosan Ring-necked Pheasant (P. c. formosanus).

Habitat: A wide variety of habitats throughout its natural and introduced range.

Breeding Season: Feb-June.

Breeding Age: First year.

Clutch Size: 6 to 12 eggs, but many more can be produced if the eggs are removed. If allowed to do so, the females will hatch their own eggs with the males assisting in the chick rearing.

Incubation Period: 23-26 days.

Southern Caucasus Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus colchicus

Bianchi’s Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus bianchii

Zarundy’s Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus zarudnyi