Ring-necked Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus

The male Ring-Necked Pheasant is hard to confuse with any other bird. All adult males have green iridescent heads with large areas of red, unfeathered skin around the eyes. And of course, they have the distinctive white ring around their necks. The female pheasant can be confused with several species of grouse, except it typically has a longer, pointed tail and bare, unfeathered legs.

The Ring-Necked Pheasant is not native to North America. Instead, it was introduced to this country from Asia in the 1800's. Since then it as successfully spread across most of the northern and western United States.

The Ring-Necked Pheasant is a popular game bird in Minnesota. There is an organization in Minnesota (and many states) called "Pheasants Forever." It is dedicated to the support and conservation of wild spaces so that the bird can continue to be hunted in its natural habitat.