FLYING ABILITY OF DIFFERENT PHEASANT STRAINS

Hunting ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) in Great Britain d epends on released birds. Hunters believe that the flying ability of r eared birds has declined in recent years and think it may be due to ge netic changes in the game farm stocks. Thus, we evaluated 3 stocks of wild, mixed, and game farm pheasant strains that were reared under ide ntical conditions. After release there were no differences (P > 0.05) in dispersal or return rates, but the lighter wild birds flew better ( P < 0.05) than the heavier game farm birds; mixed stock were intermedi ate. Selective shooting of high flying birds as well as conditions wit hin game farms where they are raised may contribute to the deteriorati on of flying quality. The effect of on flying ability was small compar ed with differences between wooded areas hunted. Therefore woodland ma nagement to improve the flying quality of the birds may be a more effe ctive management technique than the release of lighter, wild strain bi rds.