Pheasant

bird in family Phasianidae

Pheasants are a group of large birds in the order Galliformes. Males pheasants are usually larger and flashier than the females. They have feathers of bright colours and long tails.

Pheasants
Mongolian ringneck-type
common pheasant cock
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Genera

Ithaginis
Catreus
Rheinartia
Crossoptilon
Lophura
Argusianus
Pucrasia
Syrmaticus
Chrysolophus
Phasianus
† See also partridge, quail

There are 35 species of pheasant in 11 different genera. Native pheasants are restricted to Eurasia.

In many countries pheasant species are hunted, often illegally, as game. Several species are threatened by this and other human activities.

Chukar is the official National bird of Pakistan.

Implications

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The fact is that "pheasant" is not the name of a particular bird. It is the common name for a type of bird which has independently evolved in many different places.

References

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  • Beebe, William. 1918-22. A Monograph of the Pheasants. 1st edition in 4 volumes: H. F. Witherby, London. Reprint: 1990, Dover Publications.(4 volumes bound as 2). ISBN 0-486-26579-X and ISBN 0-486-26580-3. Republished as: Pheasants: Their Lives and Homes. 2 vols. 1926. Single volume edition: New York Zoological Society, 1936.)
  • Green-Armytage, Stephen. 2002. Extraordinary Pheasants. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York. ISBN 0-8109-1007-1.
  • Madge and McGowan, Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse. ISBN 0-7136-3966-0

Other websites

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