Ring-Necked Pheasant: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Birds That Walk · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Its scientific name means pheasant from Colchis, an old name for western Georgia. The ancient Greeks called it the bird of the river Phasis.
2. It would rather run than fly. But if startled, it bursts into the air with whirring wings, and when chased it can fly at up to 90 km/h.
3. Chicks leave the nest when just a few hours old. They can fly after 12 to 14 days and look like adults by 15 weeks.
4. A male has a bottle-green head, a bright red wattle and two little ear tufts that make him look extra alert.
5. Hens often lay eggs in other birds' nests. Chicks raised by another species may copy their foster parent and act unlike a pheasant.

The quiz

1. What does the pheasant's scientific name colchicus refer to?

• A Roman emperor
• Colchis, in today's Georgia (correct)
• A type of corn
• The colour gold

Colchicus means from Colchis, in the west of modern Georgia.

2. How fast can a pheasant fly when it is chased?

• Up to 90 km/h (correct)
• No more than 10 km/h
• Over 300 km/h
• It cannot fly at all

When chased, pheasants can reach 90 km/h in flight.

3. When do pheasant chicks leave the nest?

• After one year
• After six months
• When only a few hours old (correct)
• Only once they can fly

Chicks leave the nest at just a few hours old.

4. What makes a male pheasant look extra alert?

• A white tail
• Big yellow eyes
• A tall blue crest
• Two ear tufts (correct)

Two ear tufts behind the face make him look alert.

5. What can happen to pheasant chicks raised in another bird's nest?

• They lose their feathers
• They copy their foster parent (correct)
• They never learn to walk
• They turn bright blue

They often imprint on their caretaker and act unlike pheasants.

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