Various species of birds have found suitable habitats in the Indian Subcontinent. Pheasants are no exception in this regard. Various species of pheasants have been recorded in different parts of India. There are 156 known species of pheasants, out of which 46 species exist in India. They belong to a family of terrestrial birds called Phasianidae. This family includes pheasants, partridges, snowcocks, quails, etc. Some of these pheasants are described below.
Kalij Pheasant
The dominant color on the body of the male Kalij Pheasant belonging to the western and central part of the species` range is glossy blue-black. Male Kalij Pheasant belonging to the eastern part have glossy blue-black underparts and crest and white or very pale grey upperparts and tail. Most feathers of the bird are densely vermiculated in black. Female bird is brownish. In some subspecies the underparts are distinctly marked in whitish and black, while in others most feathers are pale-edged, resulting in a scaly appearance.
Cheer Pheasant
In India, Cheer Pheasant has been traced in the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. This pheasant is a buff colored bird with grey colored crest. The male bird has white-colored breast. Red facial skin is common in both male and female Pheasants. The male bird is larger than the female.
White Eared Pheasant
White Eared Pheasant is a whitish and white eared bird. Its facial skin is red in color. The wing feathers and tip of the tail are tipped black. The female bird is smaller than the male bird.
Mountain Bamboo Partridge
Mountain Bamboo Partridge is a brown, cream and grey plumaged pheasant, which has black and white eye-stripes and distinctive pattern on the head and underparts. This bird has creamy white to pale buff breast and abdomen with brown speckles.
Himalayan Snowcock
Himalayan Snowcock has grey upperparts and the sides of its body are streaked in black, chestnut and white. The bird has chestnut moustachial stripe bordering the white throat and sides of the head. It also has a dark broad chestnut band stretching from the eye over the ear, expanding into the collar. The feathers of the rump and wings are bordered with rufous. The bird has white undertail coverts and yellow orbital skin. The female bird is smaller and lacks the large tarsal spur of the male.
Jungle Bush Quail
The male Jungle Bush Quail has white underparts, which is heavily barred. It also has a white moustache. Its wings are variegated. The female has a uniform, rich chestnut breast and belly. Male and female Quails have red and white streaks on the head in common.
