Originally a native of Asia, the Pheasant was first introduced into the United States in 1857. Since then the species has achieved well-established populations throughout the Midwest, the Plains states, and parts of the Western mountain states.

Male Pheasants are known for their striking plumage. They have a brightly colored red mask on their face surrounded by iridescent green feathers on their head, and a white ring around their neck. Their breast is maroon and they have long golden brown tail feathers with dark brown barring. Females are light tan and brown, lacking the bright colors in their plumage that are unique to the male. This allows them to be better camouflaged from predators.

Pheasants prefer to walk or run on the ground. However when they are startled, they will burst upwards from their cover, flying away at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Pheasants prefer to inhabit farm land or prairies with areas of woods and ground cover for protection. They are ground feeders, eating grain, leaves, insects, and worms. They build their nests on the ground, but they roost on the branches of trees at night.