Breeding birds: 2.3 million females
Family: Pheasants, partridges and quail
Adult male pheasants (cocks) have rich chestnut plumage with golden, black and pale blue markings on their body. They have a very long tail feathers which are golden brown barred with black. Underparts are lighter with dark markings.
The pheasant’s head and neck is dark green and it has a white band around the neck. They have bright red wattles and green tufts on the top of the head. Their legs and feet are dark grey.
Female pheasants (hens) are smaller with a shorter tail. They are paler in colour without any of the bright head markings. Juvenile pheasants look similar to the female.
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During courtship, the male pheasant performs a dance around the female with his wings trailing on the ground. Once the female begins to incubate eggs he will ignore her.
Nesting occurs between March and August peaking between April and June. Pheasants lay 8-14 olive coloured eggs, which are incubated for 22-25 days.
Pheasant chicks leave the nest immediately and fly short distances after 12 days. They fledge at about 9-10 weeks.
Pheasants have a varied diet and will forage on the ground for grain, seeds, insects, buds, leaves and fruit.
Pheasants can be seen across most of the UK except for the far north and west of Scotland usually seen in open countryside near woodlands, copses and hedgerows.
Britain's Birds
RSPB Handbook Of British Birds
Collins Bird Guide
Male pheasants are polygamous and can have a harem of up to 7 hens.
