Melanistic Pheasants

The Melanistic Mutant Pheasant is one of the most popular pheasants, These large, beautiful pheasants feature an iridescent, greenish-black plumage. These birds are not simply blackish Pheasants as might be expected of melanistic birds, but according to variations in light conditions they may appear green, purple or blue (or black). The term "melanistic" is frequently applied to these birds, but it is apparently not technically correct to describe this irridescent plumage as melanism. these intriguing birds are best referred to as a variation, or mutation, of (Common) Pheasant.

Males are larger, with a long, barred tail and dark feathering that appears to have a blue-green iridescent sheen. (The irridescence colour - blue, green, violet etc., are not a consequence of any pigment - they are the result of the particular microscopic structure of the feathers, in an exactly similar way to the effect of a thin film of oil on water. This is very obvious if a feather is held up to the light and its colour is seen through the feather (by transmission), rather than by refection - the colour is very dark brown.)  I initially thought it was a common pheasant but it seems that it would be called melanistic mutant pheasant. Its blue-green color was amazing, especially contrasting with the red of its face!. Male Pheasants are unmistakable, small ear tufts and neck are green, though the throat and cheeks are glossed purple. Their face and wattle are red. The female Pheasant is buff coloured with dark brown markings. shorter tail feathers, and overall smaller bodies. They lay small brown eggs and have an incubation period of 24-25 days. they display a remarkable ability to survive and reproduce in the wild.

Feeding:

Pheasants have a varied diet which they forage for on the ground and occasionally in trees. Typically, the diet is seeds, berries, insects, worms, grass and fruit.

Nesting:
The female nests in a shallow depression in the ground under a hedge or among tall grass. The eggs, which are about 45 mm by 36 mm, are smooth and non-glossy, and olive-brown. The female alone incubates the eggs and tends to the precocial nestlings.

Physical Appearance:
Irridescent green-black sheen. Similar in size to the Ringneck.
Size: 24 to 35 in

Egg Facts:
Breeding Season : May through June
Eggs per season : 10 to 12
Broods per year: 1
Egg Color : Olive-brown
Length of Incubation: 24 to 25 Days