Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Pheasant
Let us learn about the Bird that is feisty as they hunt during their flight but also are romantic singers.
With the colorful appearance we dwell on the ground,
But the habitat destruction is ruining our surround.
Scientific Name– Phasianidae
Size– 84 cm
Habitat and Distribution –
Pheasants are found in Central Asia and Eastern Asia and also in America. These colourful and attractive birds are seen in Grasslands, Wetlands, crop fields, Forests, etc. They are present mostly on the ground.
Appearance
Sexual Dimorphism is peculiar in Pheasants. There is a lot of difference between Male pheasants and Female pheasants in terms of size, in which Males are larger. Also, there is a Fleshy part present on the bird’s head. This is an attractive, show feature which is bright in colour to attract Females, it’s a signal to warn about the territory. Caruncle helps in regulating body temperature. Male pheasants have longer tails.
Pheasant have Rusty metallic cry call.
Pheasant have strong breast muscles that give them the ability to rise vertically into the air. They reach only 50 miles per hour in terms of speed.
They enter into a Dormant state in Cold temperatures. Dormancy is a phase of inactivity, in which a species tries to accumulate energy in an unbearable environment, like cold temperatures, by being a little sluggish.
In Summer Pheasants pant like Dog pants, to release the excess heat in the body as Sweat glands are not present.
Bathing is dust or rolling into dust to get rid of Old feathers, dead skin or any parasites, which is one of the activities of Pheasants.
Diet– Pheasants are seen pecking on the ground foraging on insects, spiders, and earthworms in dry seasons. They also consume Seeds, grains, berries and green shoots.
Reproduction and Breeding –
March to May month is the Breeding season of Pheasants in which they become highly Territorial. Males Pheasants attack and fight if anyone of them invades the territory of another individual.
After looking out for territory male pheasants will ‘crow’ towards females. They also beat their wings rapidly, to display their strength.
Pheasants built up their nest in Grass and Leaves. Males are polygamous. They look for another female to mate with. On the other hand, Females incubate the eggs for 22-27 days. Clutch size is 8-15 eggs. The young Pheasants stay with the female parent for a few weeks, but they fledge from the nest a couple of hours after they hatch.
The Chicks are Brown. They start developing identically to their parents in a few weeks.
Threats-
Owls, Hawks, raccoons, Fox can hunt pheasants but they are under threat due to habitat destruction, Hunting and Egg collection, all of which are the Human borne activities.
- Also See – Vulture