Feeder pheasant

Many of us think of the ring-necked pheasant as a regional native. But this popular game bird is actually an Asian import that has adapted successfully to many areas of the United States. Except for most of the southeast, parts of the southwest and the far north, Phasianus colchicus has become part of our nation’s wildlife community.

The female depicted above, called a “hen,” is typical of the average hen, which weighs approximately two pounds and exhibits subtle tones of tawny and pale feathers that allow it to blend easily with its favored habitats of dried grasses, weeds and brush. Males, or “roosters,” are quite beautiful, with more dramatic plumage that includes an iridescent greenish-black head, a white neck ring and scarlet cheek patches.

According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PAGC), pheasants typically eat weed seeds, grains, fruits, berries, shoots, leaves, grasses, rose hips and insects. As they become accustomed to humans, the birds will also visit domestic bird feeders.

Pheasants in Pennsylvania often roost in trees and usually limit their range to roughly one square mile. Nest sites tend to be placed in ground hollows in hayfields, overgrown pastures or brushy fencerows.

Many threats await pheasants, including predators such as foxes, raccoons, weasels, hawks, house cats and dogs. Fires, floods and farm field practices also take tolls on the pheasant population. But the greatest impact reported by the PAGC has been habitat loss and land-use changes as farmland has been converted to industrial complexes, shopping malls and housing developments. Increased use of pesticides and herbicides in today’s farming practices and by homeowners has also helped to reduce pheasant populations.