General Description: Ring-necked Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are large, chicken-like birds with long, pointed tails. Males are quite colorful and iridescent, with red waddles on the face and a white neck band. Females are drab brown.
Taxonomy: Galliformes, Phasianidae, Phasianinae
Favored Habitat: Agricultural areas.
Where to Find: Look for Pheasants in agricultural areas outside the Las Vegas valley. They occur in southwestern Utah (watch for them on the way to Zion National Park), in western Nevada, and in California.
Comments: These birds were introduced into the United States from Eurasia for hunting.
Ring-necked Pheasant male; notice the red face and blue-green colors on the head, plus the very long tail.