Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus, 1758 – Bażant – Pheasant

Information in Alien Species in Poland database are purely scientific and not legally binding.

Status

The species is alien in whole area of its current or past occurrence in Poland

Currently present in the environment

Reproducing in the environment

Numbers or/and range increasing

After 1997 the number of Pheasants in Poland steadily increases. The occurence and numbers of this species are strongly dependent on introductions and hunting. However, at least in some parts of Poland, the population is regulated mainly by natural factors.

Potentially invasive alien species

There are premises that Pheasnat may negatively affect native biodiversity; however, there are no stidies unequivocally verifying it.

General charactreristics

Description and biology

Males differ from females. Male's head with metalic shine and two small hooks. A ring of bare red skin around the eye. Neck with a white collar of different breadth. Feathers on the back are golden rust, with violet shine and brighth tips. Breast black and brown, bellly black. Tail brown and yellow, with black barring. Female's plumage is more uniform. Back grey rust with irregular black barring. Brest and belly brighter, with scarce dots. Omnivorous. In summer feeds mostly on insects, molluscs, annelids and smalll vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles and rodents). In winter mainly herbivorous (seeds, berrries, roots, green parts of plants). Young feed exclusively on small animals (mainly insects).

Impact on native biodiversity and local economy

Habitats in invaded range

Recently abandoned garden areas; intensively-farmed crops interspersed with strips of natural and/or semi-natural vegetation; mosaic agricultural landscapes with a woodland element (groups of trees and bushes) and in treeline ecotones

Types of utilisation by humans

  • Game species

Occurrence

Situation before introduction to Poland

Pheasant was introduced in ancient Greece, possibly as long ago as 14th century B.C. From there it was brought ot Italy and southern France. In Great Britain it was introduced in 11th or 12th century. Around that same time it was brought to Germany and Czechia, and then to Austria (15th century) and Hungary (beginning of 16th century). Most recent introductions were in Scandinavia (about 1875 in Norway and about 1900 in Finland).

Map of occurrence

Areas on the map correspond to pemanent occurrence of the species. Points on the map indicate introduction places and/or single records of the species; they do not always correspond to current presence of the species in a given locality.

Information that could update the map of occurence of the species can be sent to ias@iop.krakow.pl

Distribution description

The species occurs throughout Poland, reaching highest densities in the central, southern and south-eastern parts, and lowest densities in north-western and north-eastern parts. This reflects differences both in introduction effort and in climatic conditions.

General description of introductions

Since the 19th century keeping of this species in aviaries has became very popular and it was also deliberately introduced into the wild for hunting. After World War I its numbers were very high in some areas but World War II caused a significant decrease in the population throughout the country (down to 24 500 individuals in 1955). In 1950s breeding of Pheasants became popular again, which resulted in very intensive introductions in different parts of Poland, including areas in which the species had not occurred before. On average, 170,000 individuals were introduced each year in 1970s. Although considerable number of introductions failed, and despite intensive hunting, the total population in Poland grew to 350,000 in 1970, and as many as 961,000 in 1977. This increase was followed by a steady and significant decrease, down to 219,000 individuals in 1997. It was attributed to combination of factors, including low quality of introduced birds, changes in agricultural practices, and severe climatic conditions. Over the last decade, the population steadily recovered, reaching 462,000 in 2008. There is no recent data on introduction effort, although there is no doubt that it remains high.

Earliest introduction/record

in 1567

Types of transport

  • Intentional transport to Poland

Pathways of introduction

  • Hunting
  • Other intentional release

Type of release into natural environment

  • Release in nature

Local dispersal methods

Intentionally translocated by man Intentional introductions are the main factor influencing dispersal of the species. However, in some areas of Poland it may also spread without human intervention.

References

  • Bijlsma R.G., Hill D. w: Hagemeijer E.J.M., Blair M.J. (red) 1997. The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds. 218-219. T & A.D. Poyser, London
  • Glutz v. Blotzheim U.N., Bauer K., Bezzel E. 1973. Handbuch der Vögel Mitteleuropas 5. 322-372. Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft, Frankfurt am Main
  • GUS 2007. Ochrona środowiska 2007. 331. Główny Urząd Statystyczny. Warszawa
  • GUS 2009. Ochrona środowiska 2009. 332. Główny Urząd Statystyczny, Warszawa link
  • Kamieniarz R. 1990. Bażant w Polsce. Wczoraj, dziś i jutro cz. I. Łowiec polski 10: 10-11.
  • Kamieniarz R. 1990. Bażant w Polsce. Wczoraj, dziś i jutro cz. II. Łowiec polski 11: 8-10.
  • Kamieniarz R. 1996. Ostatnia ostoja cietrzewia na nizinach zachodniej Polski. Łowiec polski 5: 20-21.
  • Kamieniarz R. 1999. Sytuacja bażanta w Polsce w latach 1990-1997. w: Kubiak S. (red.) Zwierzyna drobna jako element bioróżnorodności środowiska przyrodniczego. 145-151. Oficyna Wyd. Włocławskiego Towarzystwa Naukowego, Włocławek
  • Kamieniarz R. 2002. Cietrzew. 1-120. Wydawnictwo Lubuskiego Klubu Przyrodników. Świebodzin link
  • Kamieniarz R. 2005. Przybysz z Azji. Łowiec polski 10: 12-13.
  • Koehler W. 1962. Wprowadzenie bażanta do Polski Chrońmy Przyrodę Ojczystą XVIII: 26-30.
  • Komenda E. 1986. Czy bażant zagraża cietrzewiowi? Łowiec polski 3: 26.
  • Krupka J. 1989. Bażant łowny - Phasianus colchicus (Linnaeus, 1758). w: (red.) Krupka J. Łowiectwo. 252-257. PWRiL, Warszawa
  • Melosik M. 1983. Gdzie można hodować bażanta Łowiec polski 2: 4-5.
  • Pielowski Z. 1984. Bażant – w łowisku i hodowli Łowiec polski 6: 10-13.
  • Pielowski Z., Kamieniarz R., Panek M. 1993. Raport o zwierzętach łownych w Polsce 24-25. Biblioteka Monitoringu Środowiska, Warszawa
  • Rudecka I. 1987. Wpływ pokarmu na przeżywalność i rozmieszczenie bażanta Łowiec polski 08-lip: 16.
  • Solarz W. 2011. Bażant Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus, 1758 W: Z. Głowaciński, H. Okarma, J. Pawłowski, W. Solarz (red.). Gatunki obce w faunie Polski. Instytut Ochrony Przyrody PAN, Kraków link
  • Tomiałojć L., Stawarczyk T. 2003. Awifauna Polski. Rozmieszczenie, liczebność i zmiany. 281-282. PTPP "pro Natura", Wrocław
  • Walasz K. (red.). 2000. Atlas ptaków zimujących Małopolski. 270-272. Małopolskie Towarzystwo Ornitologiczne, Kraków
  • Walewski W., Konarski S. 1957. Bażanty. PWRiL Warszawa

Author(s): Wojciech Solarz

Life form: Bird

Phylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Galliformes
Family: Phasianidae

Scientific synonyms: Phasianus marginatus Wolf.

Polish synonyms: Bażant kolchijski; Bażant obrożny; Bażant właściwy; Bażant zwyczajny; Bażanty łowny

English synonyms: Cock pheasant; Common pheasant; Fasan; Ring neck pheasant; Ring-necked pheasant