Survival of released pheasants, Phasianus colchicus, in Ireland.

Abstract

The survival of 250 hand-reared pheasants was assessed by resightings of tagged individuals following their release into an open-roofed pen on an estate in Ireland. The death rates per 10 days after release were approximated as 5.5% during the first 30 days, 11.6% between 31–70 days, 6.0% between 70–240 days and 2.3% between 241–365 days. The birds suffered their highest rate of loss (48.2%) during their first 10 days after leaving the release pen. This emergence-related mortality was the major factor influencing changes in the observed death rate following release. Predators, mainly foxes, were initially attracted to the area by the presence of inaccessible prey. Males suffered a higher rate of loss following their emergence from the release pen than did the females, possibly associated with the greater proportion of time thereafter spent outside the pen and hence at risk. The factors affecting the survival of hand-reared pheasants are discussed. It is suggested that reducing densities of birds within pens may increase subsequent survival without resorting to predator control.