View range map of Ring-necked Pheasant

The Ring-necked Pheasant is one of the most successful introduced species in North America. A native of Asia, this species was introduced to North America in the late 19th century and was well established by the 1930s across its current range. This species is most commonly found in agricultural fields, especially where fields are bordered by woods, shrubland or hedges, but is widely adaptable in its habitat requirements. During the fall and winter Ring-necked Pheasants forage on the ground for seeds, grasses, fruits, nuts and insects. Waste grain may form a large part of the diet where available. In summer consumption of insects increases, especially by the females. Ring-necked Pheasants do not migrate, but some seasonal movements occur in response to food availability. Male Ring-necked Pheasants establish crowing territories in early spring, usually returning to territories used in previous years. The mating system of this species is female-defense polygyny, in which females form into groups known as harems. The harem consists of females attracted to a specific male's territory and he then defends them against all other males. He will mate with all of them, and defend them for the duration of the breeding season. Female Ring-necked Pheasants build a nest of grasses in a scooped out or natural depression on the ground, close to the edge of the male's territory. She lays 7-15 eggs which she incubates for 23-28 days. The chicks are precocial and follow the female to food within hours of hatching. The chicks remain with the female for 70-80 days, after which they may associate together with other immature birds on wintering territories. Ring-necked Pheasants are hunted in large numbers, with up to 80% of the male population killed annually in the United States.

View range map of Wild Turkey

The Wild Turkey is a very large (46 inch) bird endemic to North America. Iridescent bronze/ green wings and blue/ pink head coloration and a large fan-shaped tail, make this a striking, beautiful bird. Open, mature forests are the preferred habitat of the Wild Turkey year round, with pasture for nesting during the breeding season. Wild Turkey flocks forage by scratching the ground for acorns nuts and seeds. They also eat small amounts of insects and snails. Grit is important to aid digestion. This species has big strong legs which are excellent for walking and running. The birds are not strong fliers, but will fly short distances, mostly to roost trees. Wild Turkey populations are highly gregarious and have a complex social structure. Dominance hierarchies within flocks are constantly changing, particularly among the males. Mating systems vary among subspecies, of which there are many. Male dominance polygyny with leks and also female defense polygyny, in which the females form into harems are known to exist within this species. The male gobbles and struts in his well known courtship display. The female Wild Turkey builds a nest in grass or shrub land, usually in a shallow depression. She lines the nest with grasses and leaves, and lays 10-12 buff/ white eggs which she incubates for 27-28 days. The chicks are precocial and fledge after only 6-10 days. The female continues to care for them until the end of the breeding season when the male leaves the lek. Hunting and habitat loss reduced populations of Wild Turkeys drastically during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Trap and transfer of wild birds have since repopulated the species original range. The wild Turkey has also been domesticated and introduced outside its pre-columbian range. Hunting continues and only by restocking can populations be maintained.

View range map of Northern Bobwhite

The Northern Bobwhite is a small to medium sized (9.75" tall) widespread quail species of the eastern United States. The species is most notably found in Pine forests and range lands of eastern Texas and also in other early successional forests, agricultural fields, parklands and other grassland habitats. This non migratory species makes only seasonal movements in response to drought and other local conditions. This attractive reddish/ brown bird has a slight crest and a distinctive black facial marking. Northern Bobwhite coveys forage on the ground, feeding mostly on vegetation such as agricultural seeds, fruits, buds, tubers, weeds and leaves. They also eat insects, especially the females during the breeding season. This species is highly terrestrial, walking and running along the ground, and flying rarely. Northern Bobwhites are highly social outside the breeding season, forming coveys consisting of several families, although the degree of relation between covey members is not well understood. The birds remain within the covey while foraging, taking frequent dust baths, and roosting on the ground. Pairs form in the winter or early spring, the male performing his courtship display with the characteristic "bobwhite" call. Both birds select a nest site and build the nest together, which consists of a shallow scrape in the ground lined with grasses and covered with a woven arch of vegetation. The female lays 12-16 white/ buff eggs, and both parents incubate for 23 days. The chicks are precocial. The parents brood them for the first 2 weeks, and lead them to food. The chicks feed entirely on insects which they capture themselves. The immature birds remain with their parents, in the covey through their first winter of life. The clearing of land for settlement, initially had a positive effect on Northern Bobwhite populations, providing the open habitats they prefer. Intensive agriculture however, with removal of all trees and weeds in croplands, and high density tree plantations have cause declines in populations across the species range, except in Texas where Northern Bobwhites are intensively managed as a game species. Fire suppression has resulted in further loss of Northern Bobwhite habitat and declining numbers of the birds. The species is also hunted extensively. Translocations of captive reared birds, limits on hunting, and habitat management are essential in maintaining populations of this species. The Masked Bobwhite, a subspecies native to Mexico, is in danger of extinction due to overgrazing of its habitat. This subspecies has been listed as endangered since 1967 and reintroduced to its former range in southern Arizona.