Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) photos by Larry Jordan
A little over a month ago, I went down to the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR) for what was to be a Audubon field trip. Whenever our Audubon group has a trip to SNRW, I get up early and head down there to do at least one trip around the auto tour before everyone else gets there. It gives me a chance to scout out the birds and take some photos without interrupting the flow of the group.
As it turned out, being that it was raining and cold in Redding, I ended up being the only birder in the group that made it down to the refuge that day. I felt sorry for the others because that was the day I witnessed the Peregrine Falcon aerial acrobat show. I also had a chance to get some decent photographs of some birds I had been after for awhile, like this Ring-necked Pheasant. Click on photos for full sized images.
The Ring-necked Pheasant is a native of Asia but now has one of the widest distributions of any bird1. They have been introduced in nearly fifty countries and because this species is commonly raised in captivity as an upland game bird, it can be found in many areas of North America outside the normal range of this map, courtesy of Birds of North America Online.
Ring-necked Pheasants are highly adaptable to different habitat conditions but are associated mostly with agricultural areas, foraging for seeds but also feeding on grasses, leaves, roots, wild fruits and nuts, and insects1.
I spotted this male atop a berm near the bulrush they like to use for cover. I see these birds at the refuge nearly every time I go there but they are difficult to sneak up on. This was the first time I was able to get off a few shots before the bird disappeared from view.
He sure is a looker, isn’t he?
Wanna see some more cool birds? Check out Springman’s World Bird Wednesday.
References: 1Birds of North America Online
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Those are amazing again, Larry!
How come the others didn’t go? How can some weather deter you?
Mh, then again, if all goes well I go birding on Friday with some Kuwaitis and the guy told me to bring a sweater, solid shoes and no High Heels. Guess they’ve seen it all 😉
I love that Pheasant. I think they are majestic 🙂
What a beautiful bird! I’ve never seen one of these before. So colorful- wonderful captures!
I am seeing a large numbers of Ring Necked Phesants in inner-city Detroit these days. There are blocks of vacent land that is rarely mowed that provides great cover. I am impressed that they hold their own with the packs of stray dogs and wild cats. It is always a pleasure to see them.
;-)WBW
These are my favourite birds Larry.
The male is such a colourful fellow.
Ring-necked Pheasant is one of those birds that I have always had mixed feelings about. Of course it is a very attractive bird, and from what I understand, a lot of fun to shoot if you are into that…but it’s status as an exotic/introduced species makes me despise its presence in pristine wild areas just a little bit. Now…if they are happy in inner-city Detroit and bring some more color and life to the vacant lots, I must like that just a little bit! But the fact that they are being seen in urban areas more and more often suggests that maybe the management efforts for this game species are just a bit off the mark.
Beautiful images of a lovely bird. Bred in the UK for game shoots and released onto the local farmland here in Cheshire. I often see them on my commute to and from work. I have to accept if it wasn’t for the guns I wouldn’t see them.
An amazing, colourful bird! And the detail of the tail in the last photo is incredible!
I was stunned to see one of these birds roaming a small park in the projects of Carnise in Brooklyn NY. I had no idea they had found a way to survive on the edges of the inner city..
Beautiful bird and you got some excellent photos!!
Beautiful bird.My dh used to hunt these birds.The gun clubs around here raise & put them out for hunters.We rarely see them in the wild any more here in Pa. where we live,great pictures!phylliso
You got some beautiful shots, Larry. It’s been ages since I saw a pheasant in a cornfield in VT, but they are quite common in the Midwest, also in Germany. I did’nt know they were originally from Asia, but it makes sense. Nothing that colorful would be native to the temperate zones.
seems to be the ones we have too. They walk around the town as well as the countryside. Last year I had them right outside my balcony. 🙂
It’s a gorgeous bird! Great captures.