Rutherfurd Stuyvesant’s name is familiar to many in Warren County, particularly in relation to the historic Ruthererfurd Hall in Allamuchy. The family had – and in some ways – continues to have ties to the area. What you may not know is that Stuyvesant added something else to the area:

The Ring-Necked Pheasant, also known as Phasianus colchicus.

Native to Asia, they now have a wide range in North America. Their habitat is farmlands, pastures and grassy woodland edges.  When you pass by Rutherfurd Hall in Allamuchy, keep in mind that Rutherfurd Stuyvesant introduced Ring-Necked Pheasant into this area over a hundred years ago for his private 1,000 acre hunting area, called Stuyvesant Park.

(Link to previous insidewarren.com article about Stuyvesant Park – https://www.insidewarren.com/elk-in-stuyvesant-park-postcard-from-charlie/)

My research notes that the North American birds of this species are descended from stock brought from several different parts of the Old World and thus are somewhat variable.  They are very tolerant of humans, and can get by with a minimum of cover, often nesting on the outskirts of large cities.  Successful in most grassland habitats, this species has its North American headquarters in the central plains.  After the breakup of winter flocks, males establish large territories and mate with several females.  At first the chicks feed largely on insects but soon shift to the adult diet of berries, seeds, buds and leaves.

The Ring-Neck, better adapted to open country, has been introduced as a game bird to several parts of the world, including North America. Here it thrives in some areas, such as the northern prairies, where the iridescent colors and rich crowing calls of the males add much to the landscape. 

Facts and Figures:

CONSERVATION STATUS:  Intensively managed as a game bird in most areas where it occurs in North America.  Some populations here are probably not self-sustaining, but are maintained by releases of game-farm birds.

DESCRIPTION:  30-36” with a long pointed tail.  Male has red eye patch, brilliant green head and usually white neck ring.  The body is patterned in soft brown and iridescent russet (yellow or reddish brown).  Females are mottled sandy brown with a shorter tail.  I have purposely labeled and mentioned in some of the above photos, how their beauty, serves a very important function **CAMOUFLAGE**  Whether a winter snow scene or a summer setting, these birds blend in well with whatever the backdrop!!  There is a size difference between the male and female.  Body length 20-25 inches for female – 24-35 inches for male.  Tail length for female averages 7.87 inches it is 20 inches for the male.  Weight averages 1.98 pounds for female and ranges from 1.1 to 6.6 pounds for males with the male average at 2.1 pounds.

VOICE:  Loud, crowing (cau-cawk)!!  Followed by a resonant beating of the wings.  When alarmed, flies off with a loud cackle.

HABITAT:  Farmlands, pastures and grassy woodland edges.

NESTING:  6-15 buff-olive eggs in a grass-lined depression concealed in dense grass or weeds.  Male defends territory by taking raised perch, giving crowing call while briefly drumming with its wings.  One male may have several mates, the females associating with each other in a small flock on his territory. In courtship, male struts in half-circle around female with the back and tail feathers tilted toward her, near wing drooping and face agitated swollen.  The nest site is on the ground in dense cover.  The nest is built by the female.

RANGE:  Introduced from British Columbia, Alberta, Minnesota, Ontario and Maritime Provinces south to central California, Oklahoma and Maryland.  Native to Asia

Pheasants are omnivorous and their diet varies with season and location.  Various grains, smaller seeds, fresh green shoots, buds, roots, berries, insects, spiders, earthworms and snails are their main diet.  Their feeding behavior is typically on the ground, scratching with their feet or digging with their bill to uncover food.  They will sometimes forage in trees.

Please visit my Flickr site for more photos – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157652505705794

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran, Director Open Space

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman

Allamuchy Historical Society – President