Pheasant

Pheasants
Mongolian ringneck-type common pheasantcock
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Galliformes
Family:	Phasianidae
Genera
Ithaginis Catreus Rheinartia Crossoptilon Lophura Argusianus Pucrasia Syrmaticus Chrysolophus Phasianus † See alsopartridge,quail

Pheasantsare a group of largebirdsin theorderGalliformes.Males pheasants are usually larger and flashier than the females. They havefeathersof brightcoloursand longtails.

There are 35speciesof pheasant in 11 differentgenera.Native pheasants are restricted to Eurasia.

In many countries pheasant species arehunted,often illegally, asgame.Several species are threatened by this and other human activities.

Chukaris the officialNational birdofPakistan.

Implications

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

• 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).ISBN0-486-26579-XandISBN0-486-26580-3.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.ISBN0-8109-1007-1.
• Madge and McGowan,Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse.ISBN0-7136-3966-0

Other websites

• Birdlife International status pageArchived2007-09-29 at theWayback Machine
• Illinois State Academy of Science (ISAS)Archived2006-12-20 at theWayback Machine
• Pheasants & Peafowl - Aviculture & ConservationArchived2006-09-27 at theWayback Machine
• Pheasant videoson the Internet Bird Collection
• Pheasant Information and Photos- South Dakota Birds and Birding
• Pheasant ConservationArchived2007-08-23 at theWayback Machine