From Opus

Alternative name: Ring-necked Pheasant

Photo by Marmot
male

Phasianus colchicus

[edit] Identification

50-90 cm in length with a long tail, often accounting for half the total length. Male - barred bright brown plumage, green, purple and white markings, often including a white ring around the neck, green head with red patches. Female - duller mottled brown plumage.

[edit] Distribution

Asia. Introduced elsewhere.

[edit] Taxonomy

Photo by postcardcv
female

It is in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. Colchicus, refers to Colchis, a region in the Caucasus.

[edit] Habitat

Woodland and scrub.

[edit] Behaviour

Ground feeders. The diet includes grain, leaves and invertebrates.

They roost in trees. They nest on the ground; about 10 eggs are laid over a period of 14-21 days in April-June. The eggs are incubated for 23-26 days.

[edit] Vocalisation

[edit] References

New World Encyclopaedia; Animal Pictures Archive

[edit] External Links