Since there was so much interest in our golden pheasant, Phoenix 1, yesterday, I thought I’d re-post a couple of pictures of the day Phoenix 1 banished his brother, Phoenix 2. They had a terrible fight over the one remaining female pheasant and Phoenix 2 now lives with neighbours because, each time he returns, Phoenix 1 attacks him again despite the fact that the female is long gone.
I was never able to take a picture of the female pheasants. One was killed by our dogs when she accidentally flew into their pen and the other one disappeared mysteriously. But here is a photo I found online at http://www.gamebird.com/Goldens323x250.jpg
As you can see, the female has a different kind of beauty from the male. In this photo you can also see why the males continually get into wrangles with each other if there aren’t enough females. I am beginning to wonder if our second female pheasant simply flew away to escape all the attention!
Anyway, here is Phoenix 1 again and in this photo you can see the length of his tail feathers. He had lost them all in his battle with Phoenix 2 but they are all grown back now which is perhaps why he loves looking at his reflection in the back veranda windows so much!
jmgoyder 
Yes, he probably does feel relieved to have those beauties back behind him.
They look so fierce.
Ouch! But aren’t they magnificent?
They are absolutely stunning birds. I’ve seen one or two in my life, but your first picture really brought out the gold on their heads. Kind of looks like they are wearing golden helmets.
Hi,
Wow, they did have it in for each other, what a shame the pheasants are like that, they could of kept each other company.
Lovely birds. heard a pheasant while at Culzean Castle on Saturday but never managed to see it.
There are heaps of varieties of pheasant – many taken to America and Australia for hunting purposes – not sure….
Beautiful birds. I guess they are very territorial. Thank you for reposted the photos.
Thanks and glad you like the photos! It was all a bit violent at the time!
The British Pheasant is much less colourful but the Golden Pheasant can be found in SW Scotland. I think it was introduced here.
Aha! Thanks for the information.
This bird species is strikingly beautiful! I’m in awe!Thanks for sharing Julie!
He is amazing isn’t he! Glad you like him but I really miss his brother…
What beautiful birds!
True – they are the most magnificent of small birds I’ve even seen!
They have beautiful plumage, but what about their personalities? Are they well-mannered? Do they treat others well? Are they thoughtful and caring? (I’m just kidding – they reminded me of some people who are only beautiful on the outside.) But seriously, how do they taste? 😉
I was a bit worried to begin with – hahahahah! Thanks for your astute comment!
beautiful birds!
That’s probably why they like looking at their reflections so much!
They do look as though they mean business!! Gorgeous colors – so interesting to see. Thanks for sharing these!
You’re welcome. They are so beautiful.
Wow I had no idea there were birds with this type of color – amazing! -have to admit to being an eagleholic, but not a birder 🙂
They have a bit of an eagly look about them though don’t you think?
Pheasants are really very beautiful. I had never looked at them so closely before. What intense gaze they have – and beautiful colours 🙂
I owned 2 chickens once and a dog came through a hole in the fence (actually, not owned – it was part of the property I was renting) and killed one and the other I found on a wood pile just petrified, utterly petrified. It must have been a horror experience for them. I was really mortified.
Yes, it is devastating to lose them in such a horrible way.
I agree with artful anxiety that the first picture almost makes it look like their heads are 24K gold! Stunning!
Yes – such beauty is breathtaking and in the sunlight you almost need sunglasses to be able to look at Phoenix!
A day in the life of Doctor Doolittle! Margie
I quite like your nickname for me – haha!
What beautifully colored birds. I don’t think their American cousins are that flamboyantly dressed.
I think this breed originates from England. They are not wild here as far as I know. Yes, the colours are amazing! Thank you.
Who can blame him for all that self-admiration?! He is magnificent!
He sure is!
These are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome!
Such a magnificent bird! I’ve never seen a golden pheasant before. Beautiful!!
Beautiful having him out my back door every morning!
Beautiful birds. I’m glad I gave up pheasant hunting (and all other hunting) when I was but a boy of 10.
I’m glad too!