Ordinary pheasant: description, features of nutrition, reproduction and interesting facts

An ordinary pheasant was first discovered in the territory of the ancient Caucasus. Hence its second name is the Caucasian pheasant. It is not known how, but the bird was brought to other countries, and today it can be found in many parts of the world. It was partially domesticated, and also learned how to breed hybrid breeds by crossing representatives of different species and even genera of the Fazanov family.

origin of name

The name of the largest representatives of the Chicken group is connected with the Georgian river Rioni, which is more than 300 km long, where several hydroelectric stations are located today. The ancient Greeks called it the Phases. Probably, it was the discovery of these birds on the bank of this river that gave them such a name.

According to another version, the pheasants were nicknamed after they first saw them in the vicinity of the city with the same name. In the VI century, the Carians founded the Fazis colony on the southern bank of the Phasis River, which was the easternmost city of the Pont region and a shopping center.

Species of the genus Pheasant

The division of the Pheasant family into two species is very controversial, since not all ornithologists agree that an ordinary pheasant and a green pheasant are two separate species. Some of them believe that the latter is a subspecies of the first. The green pheasant is found today in Japan, North America and Hawaii, and is much smaller in size than the common pheasant.

On the territory of the CIS countries, green pheasants are not found, but common pheasants are common. They can also be seen in the North Caucasus and Transcaucasia, in the countries of Central Asia and the Far East. In some zones, one of more than 30 subspecies of an ordinary pheasant lives, in others there are several.

Pheasant subcategories of the ordinary

Some of the more than 30 subspecies of the common pheasant were formerly considered separate species of the Pheasant family. However, a detailed study of birds helped to find out that they all belong to ordinary pheasants and differ mainly in coloring alone, the differences being most pronounced in males. Pheasants, which have more cardinal differences, such as long feathers on the ears or breast, are related to other genera of the Fazanov family.

The Transcaucasian pheasant has a green head, light brown wings, purple breasts and neck. In the North Caucasus, unlike the previous one, there is a brown or brown spot on the belly. The Tajik pheasant is endowed with a black-green chest and a yellow-red upper body. One of the subspecies - the hunting pheasant - is the result of the creative introduction of man. It was created by crossing the Transcaucasian and Chinese subspecies.

Short description

A survey of an ordinary (Caucasian) pheasant includes a description of its dimensions and appearance. The body of this bird is very close in structure with the body of a chicken, from which an ordinary pheasant has a very long tail. In the coloring of males of various species there are green, purple, yellow, gold and other saturated colors. The skin around their eyes is bright red without feathers. Females according to the bird's custom have an inconspicuous pockmark color in brown, sand or gray tones.

The male of an ordinary pheasant can reach a length of 90 cm, of which 50 is an 18-striped striped tail, and the length of the female usually does not exceed 60 cm, half of which is the length of the tail. The maximum mark, to which the weight of an ordinary pheasant can reach, is 2 kg.

Lifestyle, reproduction

Pheasant is able to move quite quickly on the ground, but to fly - for a bird is a very difficult task, which she overcomes very rarely. This species of pheasants usually settles in thickets located near some water source. It is rare to find them in the fields and in the woods. Males carefully guard their territory, sometimes even to death.

In the hottest part of the day, birds hide in thick undergrowth, leaving morning and evening for a meal. There they always spend the night. Until spring pheasants live in separate same-sex flocks. In flocks of males, there may be hundreds of individuals, females form smaller flocks. In early spring, males are separated from the flock, choose a female and with hoarse and loud singing attract the attention of the chosen one and competitors, informing them that the place is occupied.

Nest for masonry pheasants arranged in the grass, usually located in the bush. Males do not take any part in hatching eggs. The whole month the female takes care of herself and her offspring. From one to two dozen chicks are born usually before the summer. In wild conditions, the bird leads a monogamous life.

Features of food

The diet of pheasants includes both plant and animal food. With their powerful feet, they skillfully unearth various roots and seeds in the ground, as well as bugs and worms. The pheasant's menu can also include berries and shellfish. In the autumn, pheasants gain weight, and in the winter they quickly discard it, since they have to expend enormous efforts on the extraction of food. During a short winter day, they do not have time to get enough food to not consume their own fat reserves. Many individuals do not live to see the spring.

All pheasants have many enemies. "The worm is a pheasant - fox" - this is how the approximate chain of food looks with the participation of these birds. Common foxes are eaten by foxes, coyotes, jackals, hawks, goshawks, jays, magpies, crows, birds of prey.

Breeding in captivity

Meat of pheasants is valued more than chicken, and they bear eggs well. Farmers plant them in specially constructed cages, and people who do not have a farm, usually make spacious enclosures. It is important to ensure that in the territory of the bird's life there are bushes or some structures where it could hide itself, and where its shy offspring could hide.

For breeding ordinary pheasants, it is necessary to buy fertilized eggs or chickens, or to acquire or catch a male and female of the same species. After that, careful owners carefully study the subspecies of the common pheasant, which they deal with in order to create optimal living conditions for him. You should also carefully select a daily diet for birds. Eating pheasants plays an important role in the well-being of birds and their ability to breed.

Pheasants are fond of Colorado beetles, so with their help you can save planted potatoes without the use of pesticides. These birds are prone to stress, which can affect their health, the ability to carry eggs and multiply. They can become agitated because of sudden movements around, due to the change of hosts or the established regime.

Features of hunting for pheasants

Not always allowed to hunt for pheasants. In the spring, a general prohibition is imposed on their capture or shooting. Usually, hunting is done with a dog, often with a spaniel. Having caught the track of the bird, the dog runs after it, and when the pheasant takes off, the hunter shoots. The dog looks for a killed or wounded bird in the thickets and carries it to the owner. Pheasant hunting is performed only in the morning and evening portions of the day, when the bird leaves the nook in which it lives.

In many parts of the world, pheasant hunting is very popular. Sports interest, as well as a great taste of meat developed such a great interest in this occupation. In ancient times, when the question was raised about what would be served to the royal table: an ordinary pheasant or an ordinary chicken, the choice always fell on the first. He was served on a platter in full plumage.

Ordinary pheasants have a bright multi-colored color, but they are not as beautiful as other representatives of the family Fazanov, for example, a gold or eared pheasant. But this kind of the fastest in the race. For birds this is certainly a big plus, but for hunters for their valuable meat, this, of course, is a huge minus. Pheasants adapt well in captivity, if the enclosure has sufficient space and secluded thickets or special buildings for solitude.