Survival and breeding success of two pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) strains released into the wild.

Abstract

Hand reared pheasants, Phasianus colchicus, are known to have poor survival and breeding success compared to wild birds. One cause may be genetic changes in game farm stocks which produce most reared birds. We compared two pheasant strains, one derived from wild birds, the other of game farm parentage. Both groups were reared on a game farm and released under identical conditions in 1991. In February 1992, 25 hens of each group were captured, fitted with radio transmitters and re-released. We then monitored their movements, and compared survival and breeding success over the spring and summer. Both groups suffered high mortality from red fox Vulpes vulpes predation over the period. No differences in home range habitat selection, home range size, survival or breeding success between the groups were observed. Genetically wild birds produced smaller and later clutches in less wooded habitat than game farm birds. Wild birds also weighed less and were more likely to fly when approached by the radio tracker.