Breeding biology of protected pheasants; a case study of Safari park Malakand Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pheasants

Abstract

Reproduction is the main function of organisms to produce offspring. Pheasants are birds that breed from March to June every year. Most pheasants lay a clutch of 8 to 15 eggs, sometimes up to 18, but usually 10 to 12 eggs, and the eggs are olive in color. The incubation period for these eggs is approximately twenty-two to twenty-eight days, after which the eggs will hatch and the female will take care of the offspring. In this study, the breeding biology and population status of protected pheasants in Malakand Wildlife Park were examined. The pheasants are carefully cared and well-managed in this studied wildlife park. Information is collected each week from different field visits and questions from existing staff and experts. Data on clutch size and hatching success of different pheasant species were analyzed. The average number of broods for ring-necked pheasants is 15 and for white pheasants is 16. The average of green birds is 9. Likewise, the average of white birds is 7, the average of Indian peacocks is 7, and the average of black pheasants is 4. The growth rate of ring-necked pheasants is 26.6%, the rate of white pheasants is 7.89%, and the rate of black-shouldered pheasants is 16%. The proportion of green pheasants is 37.14%, and that of white pheasants and peacocks is 37.14%. This study aims to understand the brood size and hatching success of different pheasant species protected in Malakand Wildlife Safari Park.