Story: Birdwatching

Shot pheasants

Shot pheasants

Pheasants and other game birds were introduced to New Zealand for hunting. Since the first pheasant release in 1853, other subspecies have been released and have interbred. Most now resemble the ring-necked subspecies from China. Although they breed in the wild, numbers are boosted by captive-bred pheasants. These two hunters are displaying their day’s bag, in 1912.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, James McAllister Collection (PAColl-3054)
Reference: 1/1-009929; G
Photograph by James McAllister

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Gordon Ell, 'Birdwatching - Native and introduced birds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/11936/shot-pheasants (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Gordon Ell, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015