How to identify it
Large, long-tailed game bird, 76-91 cm including the tail. [1]
Male: colourful and iridescent with a long pointed tail and a white neck ring. [1]
Female: mottled brown with a long tail and pale belly. [1]
The darker 'green pheasant' form found locally on the east coast has males without the white neck ring. [1]
Compared with the prairie grouse (e.g. sharp-tailed grouse): Audubon cautions that the brown female pheasant should be compared with prairie grouse; the pheasant hen has a much longer tail. [1]
Species it is confused with
Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.
- Gray partridge · Perdix perdix
Field notes
- Identification Do not identify Ring-necked pheasant from colour alone. Compare structure, size, range and the listed similar species before making a field decision.[1]
Where it lives
Semi-open habitat: farmland with mixed crops, brushy meadows, hedgerows, woodland edges and marsh edges. Access to water may be important; rarely found in very arid places. [1]
How it behaves
Male territorial call is a loud crowing 'caw-cawk!' followed by a resonant beating of the wings; flushes with a loud cackle. [1]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Where legal take is listed
- Alberta — hunting · 2026 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations
- British Columbia — hunting · 2026-2028 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis
- New Brunswick — hunting · Hunt & Trap Regulations Summary 2026–2027
- Nova Scotia — hunting · 2026 Hunting and Fur Harvesting Summary of Regulations
- Ontario — hunting · Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary — Small game and furbearing mammals
- Saskatchewan — hunting · Saskatchewan Hunters Guide 2026-27
- Arizona — hunting · 2026-2027 Arizona Hunting Regulations
- California — hunting · 2026-2027 California Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use of Department Lands Regulations
- Colorado — hunting · 2 CCR 406-3 Chapter W-3 Furbearers and Small Game, Except Migratory Birds (07/16/2026; eff. 2026-09-01)
- Connecticut — hunting · 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide
- Delaware — hunting · 2026-27 Delaware Hunting & Trapping Guide: Small Game Hunting (official guide, linked from dnrec.delaware.gov)
- Hawaii — hunting · HAR Title 13 Chapter 122, Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting (unofficial copy, am. 05/09/15)
- Idaho — hunting · Upland Game, Turkey & Furbearer 2026 & 2027 Seasons & Rules
- Illinois — hunting · Illinois Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-2027 (PDF read from cached copy of the digest linked on this page)
- Indiana — hunting · Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide 2026-2027: Gamebirds
- Iowa — hunting · 2026-27 Iowa Hunting, Trapping & Migratory Game Bird Regulations (DNR PDF; page numbers cited)
- Kansas — hunting · Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary, Fall 2025-Spring 2026
- Kentucky — hunting · Kentucky Hunting & Trapping Guide, August 2026-March 2027
- Maine — hunting · 2026-27 Maine Hunting Seasons (Summary of Laws & Rules)
- Maryland — hunting · 2026-27 Maryland Guide to Hunting & Trapping (official guide, linked from dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide)
- Minnesota — hunting · Minnesota Hunting & Trapping Regulations (effective July 2026 - June 30, 2027)
- Missouri — hunting · A Summary of Missouri Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026
- Montana — hunting · 2026 Upland Game Bird Hunting Regulations
- Nebraska — hunting · Small Game & Waterfowl Guide 2025-2026
- Nevada — hunting · CR 26-13 2026-27 & 2027-28 Seasons, Bag Limits ... Upland Game Birds, Rabbits, Wild Turkey, Furbearers
- New Hampshire — hunting · Fis 300 Wildlife Seasons and Rules
- New Mexico — hunting · 2026-2027 New Mexico Hunting Rules & Information (v08.11.26)
- North Carolina — hunting · Hunting and Trapping Season Dates for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027 (NCWRC)
- North Dakota — hunting · 2026-2027 Small Game, Waterfowl and Furbearer Proclamation
- Ohio — hunting · Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2026-27 (effective 1 Sep 2026-31 Aug 2027); PDF read from cached copy
- Oklahoma — hunting · Pheasant Regulations
- Oregon — hunting · 2026-27 Oregon Game Bird Hunting Regulations (official ODFW booklet)
- Pennsylvania — hunting · 2026-27 Seasons and Bag Limits
- Rhode Island — hunting · Hunting and Trapping Regulations (250-RICR-60-00-9)
- South Dakota — hunting · 2026 South Dakota Hunting and Trapping Handbook
- Texas — hunting · Pheasant: 2026-2027 Seasons & Regulations
- Utah — hunting · 2026-27 Waterfowl, Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook
- Vermont — hunting · 2026 Vermont Guide to Hunting & Trapping Laws (official lawbook, publisher-hosted)
- Virginia — hunting · Small Game Hunting Regulations and Seasons | Virginia DWR
- Washington — hunting · 2026 Washington Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Regulations (Jul 1 2026 - Jun 30 2027)
- West Virginia — hunting · West Virginia 2026-2027 Hunting Season Dates | WVDNR
- Wisconsin — hunting · 2026 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Seasons PUB-CS-076-2026 (updated 06/08/2026)
- Wyoming — hunting · WGFC Ch. 11 Upland Game Bird and Small Game Hunting Seasons (dated Apr 22 2026)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Native to Asia and introduced to North America as a game bird. Established across southern Canada and much of the United States, thriving especially on the northern prairies; some populations are probably maintained by releases of game-farm birds.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30
National Audubon Society