Order: Gallifomes, Family: Phasianidae; Total length: 80 cm (male) and 60 cm (female); Distribution: Asia and Europe
The Common Pheasant typically lives on the edge of forests, near croplands or riverbeds. Females are similar in appearance to Copper Pheasants, which live along mountain streams and in deep mountain forests.
Play birds singing
Although polygamy is the norm for most mammals, more than 90% of bird species are monogamous, with of course, some exceptions of polygamous or polyandrous behavior. One such exception is the polygamous Common Pheasant, Japan's national bird. Female Common Pheasants are solely responsible for raising their chicks, getting no assistance whatsoever from males.
Although the male Common Pheasant may, at first glance, appear deserving of envy, reality paints a different picture. Like most creatures, male and female pheasants are generally equal in number. As such, because some males may have many partners, a large number of others are forced to live a life of solitude.
When most chicks hatch, their eyes aren't open and they have no feathers. But when the time comes to leave the nest, they are almost the same size as the parent, which makes it difficult to identify chicks from adults.
Ducks and pheasants, however, are the exception. They hatch with their eyes open, have downy feathers, and can walk away from the nest soon after hatching. Because some bird species build their nests on the ground, making them vulnerable to predators, they cannot stay at home for very long due to the lack of protection.
Males will use their colorful plumage and loud voice to claim their territory and assert themselves. What do females look for when choosing a mate? Attractiveness? Body size? Perhaps aggressiveness?
A popular male will mate with multiple females. Female Common Pheasants have drab, brown plumage.
