General

Ring-necked Pheasant: Large, chicken-like pheasant with metallic-brown body, iridescent green head, white neck ring, and bright red eye patch and wattles. Tail is very long and pointed. Female is pale brown overall with dark markings, has shorter tail, and lacks wattle.

Range and Habitat

Ring-necked Pheasant: Native to Asia; introduced to British Columbia, Alberta, Minnesota, Ontario, and Maritime Provinces south to central California, Oklahoma, and Maryland. Preferred habitats include farmlands, pastures, and grassy woodland edges.

Breeding and Nesting

Ring-necked Pheasant: Ten to twelve dark green buff or brown olive eggs are laid in a grass-lined ground depression concealed in dense grass or weeds. Incubation ranges from 23 to 25 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Ring-necked Pheasant: Eats waste grain, seeds, and plant parts. In spring and summer, insects and other arthropods are important foods, especially for chicks; forages mostly on the ground by scratching and grazing.

Readily Eats

Berries, Cracked Corn, Millet

Vocalization

Ring-necked Pheasant: Makes a loud, crowing "caw-cawk" followed by a resonant beating of the wings. When alarmed, flies off with a loud cackle.

Similar Species

Ring-necked Pheasant: Male is unmistakable. Female Sharp-tailed Grouse is shorter-necked, has a slight crest, white outer tail feathers, shorter tail, and feathered legs. Female Sage Grouse has dark belly patch and feathered legs.