Species Profile

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

3–7 years

Length

50–90 cm

Weight

720–1600 g

Wingspan

70–90 cm

Migration

Resident

Look out for this striking game bird with its iridescent plumage and long tail strutting through fields and woodlands.

Also known as: Ring-necked Pheasant

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Gallery

Appearance

The male Common Pheasant is a spectacular bird. It boasts a vibrant green head, red facial wattles, and a white neck ring. Its body is decorated with golden-brown feathers, often with a coppery sheen, and it has a long, pointed tail.

Females are much more subdued, with mottled brown plumage that provides excellent camouflage. Both sexes have strong legs and feet adapted for scratching and running.

Identification & Characteristics

Male Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: Blue
Beak: Grey
Legs: Grey

Female Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: Black
Beak: Grey
Legs: Grey

Female Markings

Mottled brown plumage with dark spots and bars

Attributes

Agility75/100

Strength60/100

Adaptability80/100

Aggression55/100

Endurance65/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

Common Pheasants thrive in various habitats, including woodland edges, farmland, and grasslands with adequate cover. They are particularly fond of areas with a mix of open ground for feeding and dense vegetation for shelter.

Originally native to Asia, pheasants have been widely introduced and have established populations across Europe, North America, and parts of Australia and New Zealand. They are especially common in the UK and parts of the US Midwest.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Wales

Rutland

Cambridgeshire

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Berkshire

Cheshire

Cumbria

Cornwall

Derbyshire

Devon

Dorset

Durham

East Riding of Yorkshire

Essex

East Sussex

Gloucestershire

Hampshire

Herefordshire

Hertfordshire

Isle of Wight

Kent

Merseyside

Lancashire

Leicestershire

Lincolnshire

London

Manchester

Northumberland

Norfolk

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

North Yorkshire

Oxfordshire

South Yorkshire

Tyne and Wear

Suffolk

Shropshire

Somerset

Surrey

Staffordshire

Stockton-on-Tees

Warwickshire

Wiltshire

West Yorkshire

Worcestershire

West Sussex

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Diet

Common Pheasants are omnivorous, eating seeds, grains, and insects. They forage on the ground, scratching their feet to uncover food. In agricultural areas, they often feed on crop residues and occasionally damage crops.

Behaviour

Common Pheasants are ground-dwelling birds that prefer to run rather than fly when disturbed. They are often seen strutting in open fields, with males displaying to females during breeding season.

These birds are typically solitary or found in small groups, except during winter when they may form larger flocks.

Calls & Sounds

The male Common Pheasant's call is a loud, harsh 'kok-kok' often followed by noisy wing-flapping. This distinctive sound, described as a cross between a crow and a honk, is frequently heard in rural areas. Females make softer, clucking noises, especially when with chicks.

Nesting & Breeding

The breeding season for Common Pheasants typically begins in spring. Males establish territories and attract females with loud calls and elaborate displays, fanning their tails and fluffing their feathers.

Females construct a simple nest on the ground, often hidden in tall grass or under dense shrubs. They lay 7-15 olive-brown eggs in a clutch.

Incubation lasts about 23-26 days and is carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial, able to leave the nest and feed themselves shortly after hatching, but remain with the hen for several weeks.

Conservation

While the Common Pheasant is not globally threatened, its populations can be affected by changes in farming practices and habitat loss. In many areas, populations are maintained through releases for hunting, which can have positive and negative impacts on local ecosystems.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 160,000,000 - 219,999,999 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Decreasing^[2]

Elevation

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Common Pheasants face threats from various predators including foxes, hawks, owls, and in some areas, feral cats and dogs.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for pheasants in field edges and hedgerows, especially early morning or late afternoon.
Listen for their distinctive 'kok-kok' call, often followed by loud wing beats.
In the UK and US, pheasants are commonly seen in agricultural areas and game reserves.
Be patient and move quietly; pheasants will often freeze or run rather than fly when approached.

Did You Know?

Pheasants can fly at speeds up to 60 km/h when escaping danger.
They were introduced to Britain by the Romans and to North America in the 1880s.
Male pheasants can have harems of several females during breeding season. It is not unknown for these harems to consist of ten hens which the cock confines to his own distinct territorial area.
During the shooting season in the UK, which falls annually between October 1st and February 1st, over 35,000,000 birds are released in organised shoots.