Another Visitor Today

[Hugh_Jones]

The third day running he/she has been round - not an ordinary pheasant, and not a golden one, so what?

[Hugh_Jones]

[Margaret]

Hi,Hugh.Just been looking in a very well illustrated bird book.It IS slightly different to the average pheasant,but this is explained  "plumage varies,depending on the origin of the introduced stock" but they always keep to the greenish black head and neck.I cannot find anything,any other"variety" that comes close,and this book consists of very good photographs of British and European birds.

[Palustris]

Looks dark enough to be what they call a Melanistic form of ordinary pheasant.

[Hugh_Jones]

Definitely not a grouse Margaret.

Eric, as the picture is so dark, perhaps I should have elaborated a bit.  The back of the head and neck is a brilliant irridescent green, changing to blue down the back, while the whole of the underside is a bright irridescent bluish purple.  There is absolutely no black in the head and neck colouring although the photo gives that impression because of the poor light at the time.

It`s got me beat - I think it must have escaped from someone`s private collection of exotics.

[MagpieDi]

Could it possibly be just a hybrid pheasant? Apparently the Japanese pheasant hybridises readily with others.

Whatever it is Hugh, try it marinated in cider, roasted, then garnished with a Cox's apple sauce and wild mushrooms!!  ;)  ;D  Delish !

[Hugh_Jones]

Di, it`s OUT OF SEASON! I would be shunned by all respectable society throughout the County, and mothers would hush their children by threatening them with the man who ate a pheasant in March.

[Carol]

The pheasant is as Eric says a melanistic pheasant.  They are becoming more and more common especially on the larger shootin estates,  I see them all the time.  Not as handsome as the common ones I dont think.

[budgiebreeder]

Yes indeedy i agree it is a Melanistic form of the ordinary pheasant.Not anywhere near as handsome as the common ones Carol.

[MagpieDi]

Goodness me Hugh, you are a rare breed indeed........ a man with scruples ! I was under the impression you were game for anything !  ;D  ::)  ;D

[kenkew]

All together, now...a nice big Brucey Forsythe H O O O O ooooooooooo!!!!

[Hugh_Jones]

So the next question is as to whether the melanistic form of pheasant has any aggressive or anti-social tendencies towards the other forms.  The reason I ask is that for over 2 months we have been visited several times a day by an ordinary pheasant, and for over a month by a golden pheasant (both males) and both visiting at different times of the day. However, since the melanistic one started coming just over a week ago (and it also comes two or three times each day) neither of the other two pheasants has appeared. Any ideas?

[Carol]

I wouldn't think so Hugh.  I see both types together on a huge stately home estate here in the Borders.  Usually up to 10 pheasants in this field, some melanistic and other the lovely common type.  I too have pheasants visit, ut the common type.  They are courting at the moment and I am being amused by their antics.  The male chasing the female all over our garden and displaying etc.  she flew onto our roof and he was stumped.  He just stared up at her.  Eventually she came down and the antics started all over again.  BUT if two thingy pheasants were in my garden at one time there would be an awful fight I am sure.  Not happened recently but has in the past.  Feathers and talons all over the place.  

The country set are introducing another type of pheasant from the USA I have been told and they are supposed to be good for shooting.  Not as quick as the common ones or melanistic.