Pheasant

A released gamebird that may persist locally in farm country.

About this label

These birds generally do not form established wild populations in Quebec. Hunting opportunities mainly involve captive-raised birds released for hunting, dog training, or competition activities. Regular season, licence, zone, and gear rules still apply.

Official Quebec source

Field guide

A released gamebird that may persist locally in farm country.

Identification

Shared features

Male ring-necked pheasants are colorful with long tails; females are mottled brown and shorter-tailed.

Male

Representative ring-necked pheasant: the adult male is coppery and glossy with a green head, red facial skin and very long barred tail; some introduced strains lack the white neck ring.

Female

Representative ring-necked pheasant females are mottled brown and buff with a shorter, pointed tail and no bright head colors. Juvenile males are duller before adult plumage develops.

Habitat

Tall grass, crop edges, brushy ditches and farm hedgerows near release areas.

Where to look during the day

Morning

At dawn, listen for crowing males and watch field edges.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, check thick grass and sheltered crop margins.

Evening

At dusk, birds often emerge to feed along open edges.

Sounds

The representative ring-necked pheasant gives a harsh two-part crow and wing whirr.

Recorded calls

Ring-necked pheasant (representative)

Field recording of a ring-necked pheasant, representing this regulatory group. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

Jonathon Jongsma · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits

Bag and possession summaries.

-No bag limit or possession limit.

Official bag-limit source