Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), perching on stone wall. Wetheral, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe.


The Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), is a bird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae). It is native to Caucasus and Russia and has been widely introduced elsewhere as a game bird. In parts of its range, namely in places where none of its relatives occur such as in Europe (where it is naturalized), it is simply known as the "pheasant". "Ring-necked Pheasant" is a collective name for a number of subspecies and their is a well-known gamebird, among those of more than regional importance perhaps the most widespread and ancient one in the whole world. The Common Pheasant is one of the world's most hunted birds; it has been introduced for that purpose to many regions and is also common on game farms where it is commercially bred. Ring-necked Pheasants in particular are commonly bred and were introduced to many parts of the world; the game farm stock, though no distinct breeds have been developed yet, can be considered semi-domesticated.


Size: 4256px × 2831px
Location: All Saints Church. Wetheral, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe.
Photo credit: © Stan Pritchard / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: bird, colchicus, common, game, male, neck, necked, phasianus, pheasant, ring, ring-necked