We opened the door this morning to find a Lady Amherst's Pheasant outside. We gaeve it some food and after being out all day it's still there. Does not appear injured. It's not ringed, but is tame enough that it eventually ate out of my hand just now. RSPCA and Council not interested and I have had no luck so far on Facebook and Twitter finding any posts about lost birds.
Any ideas on what to do for the best welcome. Just concerned about cats tonight.
I might be able to catch it but don't want to try at the moment as although unlikely I guess it could (?) be wild/feral.
Thanks
Stuart
Hi Stuart, what a beautiful looking pheasant. I have male and female ones that come visiting, and at one point a male would come into the garage and feed from my hand. He never had the colourings as your fellow has. Hopefully he will find a tree to roost in. My cat never bothered with them at all, she would sit and look at them and them at her, I think they were just too big for her, she is only a wee tabby.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
It was certainly a stunning surprise when we opened our front door. We then went out for a few hours (after concluding we couldn't do anything else) and I was amazed when I reversed into the drive and spotted him in the mirror still stirring up the gravel looking for grain. The funny thing was we were out walking and surrounded by regular pheasants as we were on the edges of a game estate. We did find out that they don't like grated apple (at least not when there's our bird see to be had) :-)
I managed to locate the owner who just came round to try to catch him. He got away - has apparently been on the run for 2 weeks so he's clearly wily enough to stay safe for a while!
Nice to have a happy ending Stuart, how did you find the owners?
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
Local Facebook group. They were only around the corner. He escaped 2 weeks ago and has been making appearances and then evading capture all over the village. He escaped again when they tried to catch him. Came back yesterday here and tucked into food and water before being scared off by a cat - he can fly when he wants to! Not come back again so far.
He knows where he is onto a good thing Stuart!
Lured into neighbour's greenhouse today and owner came to collect him safe and well (and very well fed!). He's called Kevin.
Quite an appropriate name methinks, owners obviously well acquainted with 'Up' ... I loved that bird ! Lol Well done Stuart!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr