Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

Common Pheasant

“ A bird from Sakartvelo calls its home and was the most well-known for maintaining life until the introduction of the Chicken fowl. ”

– Eostre

Scientific Taxonomy & Character Information

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Chordata

Phylum: Animalia

Class: Reptilia

Order: Galliformes

Family: Phasianidae

Genius: Phasianus

Species: Phasianus colchicus

Descendant: phasianids

Named by: Carl Linnaeus

Year Published: 1758 (10th edition of Systema Naturae)

Size: 60–89 cm (23+1⁄2–35 in) in length; wingspan ranges from 56–86 cm (22–34 in); 0.5 to 3 kg (1 to 7 lb), with males averaging 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) and females averaging 0.9 kg (2 lb 0 oz)

Lifespan: 1 - 27 years

Activity: Diurnal ☀️

Type: 

Title(s): 

Other Name(s)/Alias(es): 

Pantheon: Terran/Gaian 🇺🇳

Time Period: Pliocene–Holocene

Alignment: Docile

Threat Level: ★★★

Diet: Omnivorous 🌱🐛

Elements: Air 🌬️

Inflicts: Airblight 🌬️, coccidiosis 💩

Weaknesses: Rock 🪨 (50% immune); electric ⚡; metal 🔩

Casualties: none

Based On: itself 

Conservation Status: Least Concern (LC) – IUCN Red List

The common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), ring-necked pheasant, or blue-headed pheasant, a bird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae).

Etymology

The genus name comes from Latin phasianus, "pheasant". The species name colchicus is Latin for "of Colchis" (modern day Georgia Republic), a country on the Black Sea where pheasants became known to Europeans.

Physical Appearance

Previously believed to be closely related to the genus Gallus, which includes domesticated chickens and junglefowl, Phasianus is now found to be in different subfamilies after diverging more than 20 million years ago, according to current research.


The male common pheasant comes in a variety of color variations, from virtually white to practically black in certain melanistic specimens. These are caused by hybridization and captive breeding between subspecies and the green pheasant, which are further supported by ongoing releases of stock into the wild from various sources. For instance, the "ring-necked pheasants" that are widespread in Europe, North America, and Australia are a stereotyped hybrid swarm rather than belonging to any particular taxon. Males typically weigh 1.2 kg (2 lb 10 oz) and females weigh 0.9 kg (2 lb 0 oz), with body weights ranging from 0.5 to 3 kg (1 to 7 lb). The range of wingspan is 56–86 cm (22–34 in).


With a long brown-streaked black tail that makes up nearly 50 cm (20 in) of its overall length, the mature male common pheasant of the nominate subspecies Phasianus colchicus colchicus measures 60–89 cm (23+1⁄2–35 in) in length. Although the rump uniform is occasionally blue, the body plumage is banded bright gold or flaming copper-red and chestnut-brown with iridescent sheens of green and purple. The wings are covered in white or cream, and the tail frequently has black bars. Bottle green in color, the head has a characteristic red wattle and a little crest. Some races, including Phasianus colchicus colchicus, do not have a white neck ring. The pheasant's two ear tufts behind its face increase its alertness.


White or cream covers the wings, and black bars frequently appear on the tail. Bottle green in color, the head has a characteristic red wattle and a little crest. The pheasant's two ear tufts behind its face increase its alertness. The juniors and females have duller mottled brown plumage and are far less ostentatious. Before young males start to develop distinctive bright feathers on the breast, head, and back around ten weeks after hatching, juvenile birds resemble females with shorter tails.


Furthermore, a variety of color mutations are frequently seen, primarily melanistic (black) and flavistic (isabelline or fawn) variations. The former, known as Tenebrosus pheasant (Phasianus colchicus var. tenebrosus), are rather widespread in some places.

Abilities

Common pheasants are gregarious birds and outside the breeding season form loose flocks. Wherever they are hunted they are always timid once they associate humans with danger, and will quickly retreat for safety after hearing the arrival of hunting parties in the area. Common pheasants are diurnal and spend most of their time on the ground. They are able to fly short distances but they prefer to run. If startled, however, they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed, with a distinctive "whirring" wing sound and often giving 'kok kok kok' calls to alert other members of the flock.


When cruising, their speed is only 43–61 km/h (27–38 mph), but when being pursued, they may reach up to 90 km/h (56 mph).

Weather Phenomenon

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Ecology

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Behavior

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Distribution and Habitat

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