COCK PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) JANUARY
The handsome cock pheasant is a spectacular sight in the country winterscape, strutting its stuff over frosty, snow-covered fields, always preferring to walk or run on the ground rather than to fly. However, it can be seen bursting quickly into flight when the need arises, and can achieve speeds of 35-60 mph. His food supply includes seeds, berries,leaves, insects, worms, grass and fruit. Pheasants roost in trees, at dusk, making lots of abrupt, hoarse calls when doing so. They mate in spring when the hen builds a nest on the ground. Males typically have a harem of several females during the mating season where around a dozen eggs will be hatched. The newly hatched will only have, on average, a life expectancy of less than one year, despite a protection order during the close season under the Games Act. The pheasant is a non-native bird that was first introduced by the Normans in the 11th century as a game bird.
Catch one while you can!