| Ring-necked Pheasant Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - Chunky, long-tailed, round-winged, ground-dwelling bird - Small head and thin neck - Immatures similar to adult female - Some subspecies have green body or white wings, but are very locally introduced Adult male - Green head - Pale bill - Unfeathered red facial skin around eye - White ring around neck - Golden plumage with bluish and greenish iridescence and black spots scattered throughout - Long, pointed, golden tail feathers with black barring - Spurred legs Adult female - Buffy brown head and underparts - Dark brown back with paler edgings and centers - Black spots and bars scattered about head, neck and flanks - Long, buff-brown, pointed tail - Lacks spurs Similar species Adult male unmistakable. Female similar to a number of species of female grouse but has a much longer, pointed tail and bare legs. Female Sharp-tailed Grouse also has a pointed tail but is shorter-necked, has a slight crest, has white outer tail feathers, a shorter tail and feathered legs. Female Sage Grouse has a dark belly patch and feathered legs. |
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