Hen Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Image: © Maigheach-gheal Taken: 11 Apr 2010

Among the most savoury of game birds, pheasants provide sport by flying strongly and directly over guns. When otherwise disturbed, they tend to run away rather than fly. Rearing and protecting them, organising shoots has become a major rural industry. Pheasants, first recorded in England in 1059, are now widespread throughout Britain and Ireland. One theory is that they were introduced by the Romans from Asia. The common pheasant derives from the Chinese ring-necked, black-necked and Mongolian breeds, and accordingly varies in plumage. This has produced two forms - those with a white neck-ring and those without. Pheasants are ground dwelling birds, vulnerable to foxes, stoats, weasels and other predators. Due to the efforts of gamekeepers, who also supply winter feeding, pheasants survive in larger numbers than would be possible if they were left to fend for themselves.

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