Habitat Selection by Cock Pheasants in Spring

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Abstract
The number, size dispersion and habitat components of cock pheasants'' [Phasianus colchicus] territories in spring were studied over 4 consecutive years on a 229 ha game preserve in NE Dorset [England]. Over the whole area the average density varied from 27-36 cocks/100 ha and the estimated average area of 15 sampled territories was 1.82 ha. Many territories were located in similar areas each year, despite a high annual turnover of cock pheasants. A shrub layer composed 42.3% of the sampled territories, compared with 28.4% of the total study area, while open fields composed 51.4% of the sampled territories compared with 68.6% of the total study area. Grass leys occurred in all the sampled territories as did hazel and bramble. In general the species composition of the vegetation was variable and considered of little importance compared with habitat structure. The distribution of occupied territories over the whole study area was related to various features of the habitat, mostly the area of shrub layer and length of shrub/open field edge. Maximum and minimum values for the main components of pheasant territories are defined. Examples show how the density of cock pheasant territories might be increased by appropriate habitat management with minimal encroachment on the farmland.

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