Pheasant ID

[Bird Dog 67]

Had a buddy ask me this question the other night and wasn't quite sure what the answer was:

With Mellanistic/Black Neck pheasants, how do you tell the difference between a hen and a rooster on the wing? Thanks for any info.

[goddog]

They have an iridescent sheen on the chest and wings just like a typical ring neck. They, too, cackle on the rise and are much larger in body size compare to the hen. I have never seen one in the wild, only pen raised.

[TAK]

Had a buddy ask me this question the other night and wasn't quite sure what the answer was:

With Mellanistic/Black Neck pheasants, how do you tell the difference between a hen and a rooster on the wing? Thanks for any info.

??? I am a little confused. Are you talking about a true Mellanistic black pheasant? Or are you seeing a cross with a Black and Ring neck? The crosses come out sometimes with dark mahogony collors and no white ring or light light black with a ring.
A true Mellanistic Black Rooster has a green tint to the feathers in the breast area. The hens are a dull black with little or no green tint to it. The wings? I will check in the morning!

[Bird Dog 67]

Yep talking about TRUE melanistic/black necks. No cross breeding. Cross bred w/ a ringneck might make it a bit easier though huh? Thanks Tak!