PHEASANT

Photographed at Shakespeare Regional Park, June 2017

(*   264)               PHEASANT                Phasianus colchicus 

NEW ZEALAND             13                  

Also known as Ring-necked Pheasant. Introduced by Europeans, now common throughout much of New Zealand. Male 80 cm; female 60 cm. Found in open scrubland, vegetated sand dunes, riverbanks and agricultural land with plenty of cover.