Ring-necked Pheasant Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesRing-necked Pheasant
Male
Large, long-tailed and long-necked game bird. Males are gaudy with green head, white collar, and coppery body plumage with black and white spots.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 06, 2017Female
Fairly large, long-tailed and long-necked game bird. Females are brown overall marked with black, particularly on the back and wings.
© Sean Williams / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, November 24, 2018Female
Fairly large, long-tailed and long-necked game bird. Females are brown overall marked with black, particularly on the back and wings.
© Harold Ziolkowski / Macaulay LibraryMontana, February 14, 2020Male
When flushed, bursts vertically into flight with loud wing flapping; typically flies short distance to cover. Long tail, coppery body, and white collar are distinctive.
© Marie-Lise Beaudin / Macaulay LibraryQuebec, March 23, 2016Female
Fairly large game bird with long, pointed tail. Usually forages on the ground in agricultural, grassy or brushy areas. Females form flocks of up to 18 birds in summer and 30 or more in winter.
© Benjamin Hack / Macaulay LibraryMichigan, January 29, 2017Male
Large game bird with gaudy plumage: green head with red facial skin; white collar; and gold to coppery body with black and white spots.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 06, 2017Female and juvenile
Females are fairly large, brownish game birds with long, pointed tails. Juveniles are mobile from hatching; up to 15 may be seen with one female.
© Kelly Preheim / Macaulay LibrarySouth Dakota, July 22, 2017Male
Large game bird typically seen on agricultural lands and grassy or brushy areas.
© Tim Lenz / Macaulay LibraryNew York, February 20, 2016Similar SpeciesSharp-tailed Grouse
Female
Female Sharp-tailed Grouse are smaller than female pheasants with a much shorter tail.
© Chris Wood / Macaulay LibraryNorth Dakota, June 15, 2013Similar SpeciesGreater Prairie-Chicken
Adult female
Female Greater Prairie-Chickens are smaller than female pheasants with a shorter tail and more strongly barred plumage.
© Dorian Anderson / Macaulay LibraryColorado, April 04, 2015Similar SpeciesLesser Prairie-Chicken
Female
Female Lesser Prairie-Chickens are smaller than female pheasants with a shorter tail and more strongly barred plumage.
© Sabrina Hepburn / Macaulay LibraryOklahomaRotate Your Device to Better Compare
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Species in This Family
Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies(Order: Galliformes, Family: Phasianidae)
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