Pheasants and Partridges Family

Phasianidae

The Phasianidae is a family of birds which consists of the pheasants and partridges.

Phasianids are ground living species and are variable in size. There is generally sexually dimorphism in size, with males tending to be larger than females. They are generally plump, with broad relatively short wings and strong legs. Many have a spur on their legs, a feature shared with guineafowl and turkeys but no other galliform birds. The bill is short and generally strong, particularly in species that dig in order to obtain food. Males of the larger species often have brightly coloured plumage as well as facial ornamentations such as wattles or crests.

Ring-necked Pheasants,several partridge and quail species and some francolins have been widely introduced and managed as game birds for hunting.

Genera