Ring-necked Pheasant (Common Pheasant)

The Ring-necked Pheasant is a large, ground-dwelling gamebird. Males are brilliantly colored with a glossy green head, red wattles, a distinct white neck ring, and rich copper-brown body plumage adorned with intricate black markings. Females are mottled brown with cryptic camouflage patterns.

Rich golden-brown or chestnut-brown background featuring a distinct, bold black or dark purplish-black ocellus (spot) near the rounded tip, bordered by a lighter tan or buff margin.

Pennaceous at the upper exposed tip with tightly interlocked barbs and barbules, transitioning to a soft, fluffy, plumulaceous (downy) base with an aftershaft.

Slender, flexible, light-colored central rachis tapering toward the tip, with evenly spaced barbs radiating outward at an acute angle.

Smooth and silky pennaceous tip with a matte appearance, transitioning to an extremely soft, loose, and fluffy plumulaceous base.

Flank or lower back (rump) region, determined by the distinctive rounded shape, soft downy base, and characteristic ornamental color spotting.

Rich golden-brown base coloration combined with a striking, solitary dark round spot (ocellus) near the rounded feather tip.

Agricultural fields, brushy hedgerows, open woodlands, scrublands, and wet meadows.

Native to Asia, widely introduced and naturalized across North America, Europe, and parts of New Zealand and Australia in open agricultural and grassland regions.

Acts as both a seed and insect consumer and a prey species for various mammalian and avian carnivores in agricultural ecosystems.

Other gallinaceous birds such as partridges or certain grouse species, but distinguished by the specific rich golden-brown hue and prominent dark flank spot.

Ring-necked Pheasants are strong runners that prefer to escape predators on foot rather than fly, though they can burst into powerful, rapid, short-distance flights when flushed.

Extremely popular gamebird hunted for sport and food. Feathers are widely utilized in traditional fly-tying for fishing lures, millinery, and Native American crafts.

Look near agricultural field edges, brush piles, and roosting sites where males display or molt during late summer and autumn.

Good condition with minor wear at the very tip, fully intact pennaceous vane, and clean plumulaceous base.