Bird ID (roadkill)

[deerstalker.308]

I’m not normally stumped with birds but this one is a head scratcher. Initially thought golden pheasant but the plumage isn’t right? Domestic/decorative species? Anyone care to suggest?

 

[VSS]

I would have said golden pheasant too.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Golden pheasant, the head feathers are great for tying Salmon flies!
Cheers
Richard

 

[Fosbery Holster]

As above, but probably juvenile.

 

[deerstalker.308]

But golden pheasant has totally different distribution of colour, I can find no comparative image of any plumage similar…..

 

[bullet chucker]

Golden Pheasant--Hen bird?

BC.

 

[Robin]

I used to breed ornamental pheasants and given half a chance they would cross breed, I would suggest this may be the outcome

 

[landkeeper]

Adolescant golden pheasant male

 

[deerstalker.308]

I used to breed ornamental pheasants and given half a chance they would cross breed, I would suggest this may be the outcome

This makes sense, equally any of the others who are adamant it’s a juv golden I’d genuinely be interested to see an image of one in similar plumage as nothing I have found online shows the same or even similar feathering?

 

[Foxyboy43]

Faquarwi bird - usual habitat is tall grass, propensity for getting lost in it - hence the name……..

 

[opticron1]

It's a shame it was a bit of a direct hit....the crest feathers and the red game feathers from the rump make some lovely salmon flies! Does look like either a young bird or a cross (Golden pheasant/pheasant).

 

[bogtrotter]

Think it might be a mule, neither male nor female not uncommon in pheasants but almost certainly Golden.

 

[Overlay]

As above, but probably juvenile.

what he said.

 

[Ruby Tuesday 2]

As said young male golden just growing its adult feathers, both sexes are brown when first fledged changing the following year. Will try to find some photos there's a red strain as in your photos and a yellow strain ,
used to be a small breeding population in Thetford forest. I've bred a few ornamental pheasants in the past and as along as they avoid the foxes seem to last quite long in the wild if they've escaped.

 

[deerstalker.308]

As said young male golden just growing its adult feathers, both sexes are brown when first fledged changing the following year. Will try to find some photos there's a red strain as in your photos and a yellow strain ,
used to be a small breeding population in Thetford forest. I've bred a few ornamental pheasants in the past and as along as they avoid the foxes seem to last quite long in the wild if they've escaped.

Yes it was in part of thetford, I know they had been here historically but not for the best part of 15 years with any regularity and even then they were scarce. Thanks for all the responses, thought I was going mad.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Now, does road kill count on one’s “list” for the year? Golden is officially allowed, but dead?

 

[Staggie.308]

Golden/reeves hybrid

 

[pop1]

Last years young, male golden pheasant

 

[Ratel]

It's a "Willdo". Can't give a fk, can't take a fk, but it will do.
What my old headkeeper called a hermaphrodite pheasant. Neither hen nor cock Golden pheasant.

 

[Crowstalker]

Faquarwi bird - usual habitat is tall grass, propensity for getting lost in it - hence the name……..

I've heard that one from you before...