Pheasant
Piasún
Phasianus colchicus
Status :
Resident, Common
Size : 53-89 cm
Wingspan : 70-90 cm
The pheasant was introduced to Ireland in the 16th Century where it quickly became recognised as the primary game bird for hunting, Pheasants have large clutches of eggs (8-15) and have multiplied very rapidly, it was estimated in 2002 that there were over 1 million pheasants currently in Ireland.
Despite being easy to recognise by their size and colour they are also remarkably adept at hiding in long grass and only revealing their presence when potential danger gets within a few feet. They are not equipped for flying but have the ability to get airbourne and travel short distances when the need arrises. Their ideal habitat would be fields of long grass with nearby woodland.
Males are often seen during the breeding season fluffing themselves up and trying to intimidate each other in quite aggressive dances.
Pheasants eat seed and fruit, they often benefit from seed put out for other birds.
Photographs taken Clonkeen, Tang, Athlone April 2005