Chinese Ringneck Pheasant

Around 150,000 hunters take to South Dakota’s fields yearly to take advantage of the state’s ringneck population, which in most years has averaged close to six million. 

Also known as The Common Pheasant and The True Pheasant, the Chinese Ringneck Pheasant is the most popular of breeds, prized for their excellent flying ability and brilliant colors. 

These birds are known for the ring of white feathers around the male birds’ necks.  The face and wattles of the cock pheasants are bright red.  They have two short feathers at the back of the crown, referred to as horns, and long barred tails. 

These males grow to about 35 inches, while females grow to about 25 inches.  Female ringneck pheasants can be identified by their blotchy brown and black feathers. The Chinese Ringneck Pheasant originated in China and was introduced to America late in the 18th century. 

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