WILDLIFE IN THE FENS

Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
Length 53-59cm
Introduced from native Asia but now well established and numbers continually boosted by release of captive-bred birds for shooting. Adult male (A) familiar and unmistakable with red wattle, blue-green sheen on head, orange-brown body plumage and long, orange tail; some birds show white collar. Female (B) is mottled buffish brown with shorter tail than male. Feeds on shoots, seeds and invertebrates and no doubt has impact on native plants and ground-dwelling insects where numerous. Widespread and common in mainland Britain and Ireland.