Pheasant

Phasianus colchicus

(P. c. colchicus)

Armenian Name:	Անդրկովկասյան փասիան
Species Status:	Undetermined Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 21 for Pheasant and other similar species

Resident Status:	Year-round resident
Abundance:	Rare
Length:	53-89 cm, Wing Span:70-90 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 95.
Description:	Large long-tailed bird.
Adult:	Male is golden-orange overall with black feather tips; metallic dark green head with red wattles, brownish rump, and pale brown wing coverts. Female is brown overall mottled with reddish and black. Head and neck show pale violet tint. Both sexes show long pointed barred tail.
Juvenile:	Similar to adult female but has shorter tail.
Similar Species:	Female differs from other fowl by large size and long pointed tail.
Behavior:	Flees by running into cover instead of flying. Wings make loud chirring on takeoff. Male's call is a series of 2-3 loud harsh notes, often followed by rapid wing-flapping.
Habitat:	Edges of fields and adjacent dense thickets of reed, willow, or blackberry.
Food:	Plants and invertebrates.
Nest:	Shallow cup lined with dry grasses on ground under dense cover.
Eggs:	45 mm, 8-15, green-brown.