Mongolian

The Mongolian ring-necked pheasant is a Central Asian form or avicultural line of Phasianus colchicus, often linked with the large, pale ring-necked pheasants used to improve gamebird stock. Compared with many Chinese-type birds, Mongolian-influenced pheasants are commonly described as heavier bodied, strong flying, and well suited to colder open country. Roosters are multicolored with a green head, red facial skin, long barred tail, and a pronounced white neck ring, although captive lines may show dark-throated or white color variants. Hens are cryptic brown and can be difficult to distinguish from other ring-necked hen types without pedigree information.

Farms and preserves value Mongolian blood for release birds that need stamina, winter hardiness, and enough wariness to survive beyond the pen. In aviaries they still need cover and room, because strong males can harass hens in tight quarters. Breeding pens are usually set up as one cock with several hens, with eggs collected for artificial incubation or protected under natural cover. People purchasing Mongolian pheasants should ask whether the birds are true regional stock or a general game-farm cross carrying Mongolian influence; both can be useful, but they serve different goals.

Colors: Common (Multicolored), Dark Throated, White