{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "pheasant",
  "name": "Common Pheasant",
  "scientificName": "Phasianus colchicus",
  "category": "Bird",
  "summary": "The common pheasant is a large colourful game bird native to Asia, with the cock's iridescent green head, red face wattles, and long barred tail familiar across European and American hunting estates. Introduced worldwide for sport shooting, it weighs 0.8–1.5 kg (1.8–3.3 lb) and is Least Concern globally.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Aves",
    "order": "Galliformes",
    "family": "Phasianidae",
    "genus": "Phasianus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 1.2,
    "lengthM": 0.75,
    "topSpeedKmh": 60,
    "lifespanYears": 3
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Phasianus colchicus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Omnivore — seeds, grain, insects, and berries"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Farmland, woodland edges, hedgerows, and grassland"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "2–3 years in the wild (longer if not hunted)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "Cocks 0.8–1.5 kg; hens about half that"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Explosive wing beats; strong short flight then running"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Native to forest edges and farmland from the Caucasus through China; introduced to Europe, North America, New Zealand, and elsewhere for game shooting on managed estates.",
    "continents": [
      "Asia",
      "Europe",
      "North America",
      "Oceania"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Phasianus colchicus.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Phasianus%20colchicus&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Phasianus colchicus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Phasianus_colchicus/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/pheasant/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/pheasant/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}