Is this a juvenile melanistic Pheasant?

[earthdragon64]

..........or something else entirely? I saw this bird today in my garden.





I also saw at least a dozen very similar birds on Saturday near a local sporting estate, I wasn't able to get a photo of them.

As well as looking for ID confirmation or correction, if this is a melanistic bird, would it be unusual to find a dozen of them all together?

Regards, Audrey.

[snake]

Hi Audrey,
Yes it is a young melanistic Pheasant.
To find a group of melanistic birds is not uncommon especially around sporting estates.
If the keeper puts a dark cock with a dark hen there is a high probability of getting a family of dark youngsters.

[earthdragon64]

Thanks very much, I've seen adult melanistic pheasants before, but no more than one or two at a time.

Regards, Audrey.