Friday, January 15, 2010
Types of Upland Game Birds and Facts
Types of UplandGame birds and Biological Facts
Upland birds in order are:
Chinese Ringneck Pheasant
Manchurian Cross Pheasant
Sharptail Grouse
Hungarian or Gray Partridge
Chukar Partridge
Melanistic Mutant Pheasant
Melanistic Mutant Pheasant
Japanese Green Pheasant
Japanese Blue Pheasant
Lady Amherst's Pheasant
THESE ARE JUST A FEW DIFFERENT PHEASANT SPECIES. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT SPECIES AND SUB SPECIES. WE WILL POST ANOTHER BLOG ON THE DIFFERENT SPECIES WITH PICTURES AND INFORMATION LATER THIS MONTH.
The term pheasant usually applies to large, colorful long-tailed members of the family Phasianidae. There are approximentely 49 species and even more subspecies of pheasant. Pheasants originated in Asia and inhabite a wide variety of terain from snowy mountains to steamy jungles. In North America they have been widely introduced to many areas for sport hunting. All but one species of pheasant are still found in Asia.
Pheasants are simalar in physiology to the chicken with stout bills. Most Pheasants have long, strong legs with four-toed clawed feet. The legs and bill are adapted to scratching in the ground for food. When a pheasant senses danger it prefers to use it's legs to run from the danger. Pheasants are able to fly swiftly, but cannot sustain flight for very long. Male Pheasants often have spurs which are used in battles for dominance. Most Pheasants are large birds with very long, pointed tails. Wings are short, rounded and curved. Males are generly larger than females and are usually more colorful.
This purpose of this section of gamebirdhunts.com is an introduction you to the pheasants commonly found in North America. The common species are shown below along with details about that species. Thank you to McFarlane Pheasants and their great website www.pheasant.com for their help with this section.
Common Pheasant Species In North America
Chinese Ringneck Pheasant
Chinese Ringneck Hen
Melanistic Mutnant
Manchurian Ringneck Cross
Chinese Ringneck Hen
Melanistic Mutnant
Manchurian Ringneck Cross
Chinese Ringneck Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)
Cock (Male) Chinese Ring Neck Pheasant
Hen (Female) Chinese Ring Neck Pheasant
The Chinese Ring-Necked Pheasant
Weight: males 41-46 oz; females 31-34 oz
Length: 30"-36"
Flight speed: 38-48 mph
Habitat: grasslands, wetlands, and brushy areas interspersed with agriculture. Foods: waste grains and weed seeds
Life expectancy: 70% annual mortality rate; 2-3% of population lives to age 3
Mating: polygamous; one male breeds many females
Nesting period: peak April-June, range March-August
Nests: usually shallow, scratched-out depression in the ground lined with grass or leaves
Clutch size: 11 eggs for first nests
Eggs: olive-brown; ovate (17/8" x 13/8")
Incubation: 23 days
Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately; can make short flights at 12-14 days
Number broods per year: 1; will renest up to 4 times
Nest success: ave. 43%. Fledge: hen and brood separate 8-11 weeks post-hatch
Recruitment: ave. 3.7 young/hen
Hen (Female) Chinese Ring Neck Pheasant
The Chinese Ring-Necked Pheasant
Weight: males 41-46 oz; females 31-34 oz
Length: 30"-36"
Flight speed: 38-48 mph
Habitat: grasslands, wetlands, and brushy areas interspersed with agriculture. Foods: waste grains and weed seeds
Life expectancy: 70% annual mortality rate; 2-3% of population lives to age 3
Mating: polygamous; one male breeds many females
Nesting period: peak April-June, range March-August
Nests: usually shallow, scratched-out depression in the ground lined with grass or leaves
Clutch size: 11 eggs for first nests
Eggs: olive-brown; ovate (17/8" x 13/8")
Incubation: 23 days
Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately; can make short flights at 12-14 days
Number broods per year: 1; will renest up to 4 times
Nest success: ave. 43%. Fledge: hen and brood separate 8-11 weeks post-hatch
Recruitment: ave. 3.7 young/hen
Migration: none; year-round resident
Data Above Provided by the Iowa DNR
The Chinese Ringneck is the most popular of breeds. This pheasant is used primarily for stocking and hunting. These hardy birds adapt readily to the wild and are prized by sportsmen for their excellent flying ability and brilliant colors. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets.
Data Above Provided by the Iowa DNR
The Chinese Ringneck is the most popular of breeds. This pheasant is used primarily for stocking and hunting. These hardy birds adapt readily to the wild and are prized by sportsmen for their excellent flying ability and brilliant colors. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets.
Melanistic Mutant Pheasant
This melanistic mutant is a pure breed. These large, beautiful pheasants feature an iridescent, greenish-black plumage. A favorite variety for release, they display a remarkable ability to survive and reproduce in the wild. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets.
The Manchurian Cross
The Manchurian Crossâ„¢ Ringneck is the offspring of a male Pure Manchurian and a female Chinese Ringneck. The Pure Manchurians were imported as eggs directly from the fields of China. These birds have great naturally wild characteristics which are seen not only in their physical appearance, but in their performance as well. For those looking to propagate their land, the Manchurian Crossâ„¢ chicks and mature birds are a perfect fit. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands, grassland, and woodland or brushy thickets. These birds have been known to roost in trees at night to avoid predation.
Hungarian Partridge (Gray Partridge)
Male Hungarian Partridge and and female Partridge are very similar in markings. If you look closely at the male partridge you should see a horseshoe shaped marking on the breast. The Males face and throat have tinges of brownish orange and the males breast is brushed with vains of a darker gray. In femaile partridge the breast is normally more of a solid grayish color and they will have a much less dominate horsehoe or U marking. According to some biologists the best way to tell female from male is the female has a forehead showing an excess of pear-shaped, buff spots and the male has, instead of specks, tiny, thin lines, of a pale flaxen or ocher color, which become more noticeable at the nape.
Hungarian partridge also known as the Gray Partridge or Hun closely resembles the grouse. These birds are hardy and love to travel in groups. They are very vocal birds and are also favorite additions to gamebird hunts. Their brown markings allow them to blend in to their surroundings well. These birds pair up and mate for life. Ideal habitat would consist of about 65% small grains, and the rest in short native grass around 2 feet in height. Small brushy bushes, often found on the edge of roads and fields make great wind barriers for the birds. Great for propagating small farms.
Hungarian partridge also known as the Gray Partridge or Hun closely resembles the grouse. These birds are hardy and love to travel in groups. They are very vocal birds and are also favorite additions to gamebird hunts. Their brown markings allow them to blend in to their surroundings well. These birds pair up and mate for life. Ideal habitat would consist of about 65% small grains, and the rest in short native grass around 2 feet in height. Small brushy bushes, often found on the edge of roads and fields make great wind barriers for the birds. Great for propagating small farms.
Hungarian Partridge
Weight: males 14.0 oz; females 13.5 oz.
Length: 12"-14".
Flight speed: 30-40 mph.
Habitat: open landscapes of intense small grain and row crop agriculture.
Foods: waste grains and weed seeds.
Life expectancy: 70-90% annual mortality rate; few birds live to age 3.
Mating: monogamous; remain paired throughout the breeding season.
Nesting period: peak April-June; range April-August.
Nests: usually shallow, scratched-out depression in the ground lined with grass or leaves.
Clutch size: Ave. 16 eggs (range 10-20); first nests larger.
Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately and can make short flights at 12-14 days.
Nest success: Ave. 32%; range 10-67%.
Number broods per year: 1; persistent renester.
Data In The Orange Boxes Provided by the Iowa DNR
Fledge: young resemble adults at 16 weeks and remain with adults in coveys through fall and winter. Migration: none, year-round resident. Eggs: olive-buff; ovate (1 1/2" x 1 1/8").
Incubation: 23 days.
Hunting Hungarian Partridge
Length: 12"-14".
Flight speed: 30-40 mph.
Habitat: open landscapes of intense small grain and row crop agriculture.
Foods: waste grains and weed seeds.
Life expectancy: 70-90% annual mortality rate; few birds live to age 3.
Mating: monogamous; remain paired throughout the breeding season.
Nesting period: peak April-June; range April-August.
Nests: usually shallow, scratched-out depression in the ground lined with grass or leaves.
Clutch size: Ave. 16 eggs (range 10-20); first nests larger.
Young: precoccial; leave nest immediately and can make short flights at 12-14 days.
Nest success: Ave. 32%; range 10-67%.
Number broods per year: 1; persistent renester.
Data In The Orange Boxes Provided by the Iowa DNR
Fledge: young resemble adults at 16 weeks and remain with adults in coveys through fall and winter. Migration: none, year-round resident. Eggs: olive-buff; ovate (1 1/2" x 1 1/8").
Incubation: 23 days.
Hunting Hungarian Partridge
Ever since the invention of firearms, gray partridge have been an important gamebird in Europe. Beaters were often used to drive the birds toward shooters stationed at the ends of fields. It is interesting to note that during the 1700s, Germany had a "cocks only" season on partridge. As the birds flushed towards them, the shooters selected only those birds with the dark horseshoe mark on the lower breast. Since the horseshoe mark is not a reliable method of determining sex, the German hunters were obviously killing some hens, but this "cocks only" hunting season was used for many years.
Before a snowfall, hungarian partridge can be hunted in picked cornfields or open grassy areas in much the same way you would hunt for pheasants. Hungarian partridge are jumpy and will usually flush as a covey, at flush they often squak warning calls while the hunter is still 30 or more yards away. If the hunter is a good shot and is armed with a 12-gauge, full-choke shotgun he may be able to harvest a few partridge before they get out of range. After flying for several hundred yards, the partirdge covey will usually alight as a group on open ground. If the birds are followed up by the hunter, the covey will usually flush just before the hunter gets in range. If this tactic fails to discourage the hunter, the birds may eventually set down as singles in a grassy area or hayfield. Singles hold better than the coveys and may provide some excellent close-range shooting.
When there is snow on the ground, partridge are easier to locate but often more difficult to approach. Under these conditions, some hunters have found they can get closer to these wary birds if they are wearing white coveralls. Bird dogs are not essential for partridge hunting. A wide ranging dog will often flush the birds beyond gun range. However a well-disciplined dog that stays close can be very helpful for partridge hunting.
Chukar Redleg Partridge
The Chukar Redleg is a small flighty bird. Known for their flying ability and their zebra like stripes, they are a favorite addition to gamebird hunts. These birds hold well in cover and get up and go when flushed. These birds thrive in dry arid conditions; however, recently they have become a very popular additive to hunts looking to add speed to their hunts. These birds tend to run uphill and flush down hill often giving the hunters numerous chances. Habitat consists of small grains or brushy terrain. To hold the birds to the terrain a small stream or water source is necessary.
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1 comments:
Nice pictures.
thomasbirds.blogspot.com
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