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Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin namePhasianus colchicus FamilyPartridges, quails, pheasants and allies (Phasianidae) OverviewA large, long-tailed gamebird. Males have rich chestnut, golden-brown and black markings on body and tail, with a dark green head and red face wattling. Females are mottled with paler brown and black. They were introduced to the UK long ago and more recent introductions have brought in a variety of races and breeds for sport shooting. Where to see themAcross most of the UK, apart from the far north and west of Scotland. Least common in upland and urban. Usually seen in the open countryside near woodland edges, copses and hedgerows. When to see themAll year round What they eatSeeds, grain and shoots. Estimated numbers
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out moreAudio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |
 Male  Female Similar birds |
Trees and hedgerows in a mixed farming landscape, Yorkshire - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2001_2411_009)
Male pheasant flapping wings - Nigel Blake
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)