Ring-Necked Pheasant

Scientific name:   Phasianus colchicus  

Since our little piece of land is surrounded by farms and we have pastures of tall grasses, we've met the basic living requirements of ring-necked pheasants. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the pheasants just needed "adequate undisturbed cover for nesting, and sufficient food and cover for the critical winter period." Originally from Asia, the ring-necked was introduced to Ohio in the late 1800s. The population flourished until after WW2, when Ohio's agricultural practices changed to significantly reduced these birds' ideal habitats. The population status report in 2022 continue to show a population decline of these birds.