British Pheasants are made up of a soup of genes from the various races in the native range, hence the variation between individuals (e.g. with or without a white neck collar). The dark individuals are not too uncommon and are given recognition either as a sub-species or an artificial variety, depending what you read, called P. colchicus tenebrosus. Some books state that this variation or race is probably due to carrying of genes from cross-breeding with the Green Pheasant (which itself has sometimes been regarded as a race of the Common Pheasant). These striking dark beasties are more likely to be seen where there are large populations and releases of Pheasants, such as happens on the estates of the Moores family around Parbold and Harrock Hill. There were a few at Lightshaw in the autumn.
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 21st of March 2009 06:04:53 PM
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 21st of March 2009 07:20:08 PM
-- Edited by dave broome on Saturday 21st of March 2009 09:25:38 PM
driving up past there this morning three pheasants in the road, and one male was completely black or dark green. dont know how unusual this is, so thought i would mention it. didnt get a long look because I was driving.
