Pheasant

Pheasants are a group of large birds in the order Galliformes. Males pheasants are usually larger and flashier than the females. They have feathers of bright colours and long tails. 

There are 35 species of pheasant in 11 different genera. Native pheasants are restricted to Eurasia. 

In many countries pheasant species are hunted, often illegally, as game. Several species are threatened by this and other human activities.

Chukar is the official National bird of Pakistan.

 Implications  
The fact is that "pheasant" is not the name of a particular bird. It is the common name for a type of bird which has independently evolved in many different places.

References
Beebe, William. 1918-22. A Monograph of the Pheasants. 1st edition in 4 volumes: H. F. Witherby, London. Reprint: 1990, Dover Publications.(4 volumes bound as 2).  and . Republished as: Pheasants: Their Lives and Homes. 2 vols. 1926. Single volume edition: New York Zoological Society, 1936.)
Green-Armytage, Stephen. 2002. Extraordinary Pheasants.  Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York.  .
 Madge and McGowan, Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse. 

Other websites
 Birdlife International status page 
 Illinois State Academy of Science (ISAS) 
 Pheasants & Peafowl - Aviculture & Conservation 
 Pheasant videos on the Internet Bird Collection
 Pheasant Information and Photos - South Dakota Birds and Birding
 Pheasant Conservation 

Category:Phasianidae