Fun Pheasant Facts for Kids

Pheasants seem as American as apple pie, but they were actually brought to America from China in 1881. Early colonists brought pheasants from England, but few of them survived our cold winters. Pheasants are beautiful birds. They look a bit like chickens with long tail feathers and beautiful mottled colors. They are still hunted for their tasty meat.

Pheasant Standing in the Field Image - Science for Kids All About Pheasants — All about pheasants – Beautiful birds that look a bit like chickens with long tail feathers and beautiful mottled colors.

Pheasants are often a symbol of good luck. Legend has it that a Burmese hunter once found an emerald in a pheasant. When he went back to the pheasant’s home, he found an emerald mine.

Pheasants being Hunted Image — They are still hunted for their tasty meat.

Fun Facts about Pheasants for Kids

English aristocrats raised pheasants for hunts. Only the wealthy were invited to these hunts, while poor people often starved in nearby villages. Sometimes, the poor would poach the pheasants at night. Danny the Champion of the World, by Roald Dahl, is a hilarious account of pheasant poaching in England.
Pheasants can fly for short distances. Most of the time, they hide in grasslands and stay on the ground.
Pheasants build their nests on the ground.
Pheasants eat seeds, grain and insects.