Hi VA-Birders,
We had an unexpected sighting as we explored our usual spots in SE Gloucester
County this afternoon: a beautiful male RING-NECKED PHEASANT. This was the
Asian variety (not the "Green" variety that one reference stated was introduced
to Tidewater VA at one time), as this bird had the broad white neck ring. We
had never seen this species and were very excited to get a great look at such a
spectacular bird.
As we turned the first bend in the road while driving on Rowes Point Road (Rt
#652), the entire bird was clearly visible because he was feeding out in the
open, on the edge of the road. Its colors were brilliant in the sun, with the
red face, greenish-blue neck, white neck ring, bright copper flanks and long,
barred, orange-brown tail. We were able to watch him for almost a minute and
note his field markings before another car drove around us. The bird retreated
into the brush as that car approached.
We parked close to where he went into the brush, and fortunately there was a
small opening where we could get a good look at the bird again. It actually
looked back at us for a few minutes before moving further into the brush and
out of sight.
The habitat where the bird was found is the edge of a marsh. While most field
guides we checked state that the species is typically found in farmland and
open fields, Peterson Eastern Birds field guide does mention edge of marsh as
well.
We have birded this particular spot many times in the past few years but never
this late in the day in October (4:30-4:45). Not sure if time of day or time of
year is a factor for this species to be feeding in the open like this since
we're not familiar with it.
I checked eBird sightings for Ring-necked Pheasant and saw that the last
reports were both in 2007 (March in Richmond area and Sept. in Chincoteague).
I've added our sighting to eBird for future reference.
Since it's an "introduced" bird from Asia and Europe, we don't know if this
species conjures up the level of interest among the birding community as native
birds. But we certainly relished our first encounter with this gorgeous bird!
Meredith and Lee Bell
Hayes, VA
