Who's this fella?

[Busby]

Came across this fine looking bird on the moors today.
Spent a good 15 minutes trying to get near enough for a half decent close shot with my 18-55, but he didn't want to hang about.

I'm guessing it's some sort of Pheasant, but he looks different to the ones I've seen before.
Can anybody confirm with a positive id please?

 

[mattyh]

Looks like a blue phesant to me:

http://img406.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pheasant0305xd0.jpg

From the RSPB forums here:

http://forums.rspb.org.uk/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1418

 

[Lady Pitstop]

Not sure of the proper name for them other than Blue pheasant Apparently there are quite a few out roaming the countryside.

Linky

 

[Busby]

Thanks a lot Matty and Lady Pitstop.
You really do learn something new everyday.

 

[poacher]

Its a melanastic pheasant.

A favorite variety for release, they display a remarkable ability to survive and reproduce in the wild. Prime habitat consists of 55-70 % crop fields such as corn, soybean, or small grains. The remainder of the habitat should include some wetlands,

http://www.pheasant.com/page.aspx?page_id=68

 

[Venomator]

Well caught ... ... not seen one myself yet but know they are about ... and spreading ...

 

[hairy]

Not seen one like that before. Nice one

 

[Busby]

Thanks very much.
Just a case of sheer luck.
I had seen a kestral swoop quite high up on a hill, I walked across the road for a better look and this Pheasant jumped out.
The Kestral was miles too far away to capture, so I decided to try for the Pheasant instead...Glad I did now.