Lady Amherst's pheasant spotted in Bucks

[Jonathan]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Well done Helen.

My immediate thought is that your bird is a hybrid ringneck (common) and Amherst's pheasant.

We'll see what others think.

Look like Reeves to me.

Cheers
Jonathan

[helen159]

Thanks Jonathan - that's exactly what it is. Says on some websites that it's endangered.

[The Woodman]

Spot on that man.

[aeshna5]

There have been attempts to naturalise Reeve's Pheasant in parts of Europe + there were sustainable populations in parts of northern + central France as well as introductions to Germany, Austria + Hungary, though these haven't been self-sustaining.

[Jason Green]

Originally Posted by helen159

Do you think they are being bred to be shot? They are so tame, it saddens me to think that they might have a gun pointed at them from 2 foot... Is it okay to tell people where I found them? I don't want to put the birds in any danger.

I wouldn't. They may be being bred for shooting purposes, or they may be escapees living naturally. I hope the latter as I too hate the idea of shooting.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Jonathan

Look like Reeves to me.

Cheers
Jonathan

There have been a couple of these knocking about in the valley above Dunsop Bridge in the Forest of Bowland for a couple of years now. I saw the male last spring and he's a corker.

Regards, Chris

[0901414]

I have just seen a lady Amherst pheasant in my back garden in skelmanthorpe in west yorkshire what a surprise, i had to search on the internet because i have never seen anything like it.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by 0901414

I have just seen a lady Amherst pheasant in my back garden in skelmanthorpe in west yorkshire what a surprise, i had to search on the internet because i have never seen anything like it.

A very nice surprise- did you manage to get a photo? They are stunning birds!