A Pair of Ringneck Pheasant in Breeding Plumage

While out for a birding trip Sunday morning we came across this pair of Ring-necked Pheasants milling about in the morning light ideally situated on top of an irrigation ditch bank. The males are unbelievably brightly colored this time of year! Also, pheasant are polygynous so the top males often keep a "harem" of females around, meaning she might not be the only one in his steed. ;-)

Phasianus colchicusPheasantRingnecked PheasantRingneckedBirdBirdingBirdsAvianAvesOrnithologyNatureAnimalWildlifePairBreedingPlumageColorsColoradoCOLarimerGalliformesPhasianidaeIntroducedNonnativeWildRuralNikonD300300F4Kenko 1.4x2010Michael Menefee

From The Variety Collection