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Phasianidae - Pheasants, Turkeys, Grouse

There are around 189 species in this family. Most of them are ground-dwelling birds that eat seeds, other plant parts, and insects.

They have plump bodies and short, blunt wings. Many species, like the wild turkey, have squared-off tail feathers that are fan-shaped when opened. Other species, like the peacock, are brightly colored.

The females in this family usually lay large numbers of eggs in nests on the ground. Chicks are precocial. Precocial chicks can feed themselves shortly after hatching.

Because some of the species in this family are raised or hunted for food and sport, many species have been introduced to areas outside of their native range.

  • The chukar is an introduced species in North America. It is found from British Columbia and Alberta south to California and Colorado. The chukar has also been introduced to Hawaii. It is also found in Europe and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Chukar
    (Alectoris chukar)
    The chukar is an introduced species in North America. It is found from British Columbia and Alberta south to California and Colorado. The chukar has also been introduced to Hawaii. It is also found in Europe and Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Chinese bamboo-partridge is native to China. It is also found in Japan and Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status:: Least Concern
    Chinese Bamboo-Partridge
    (Bambusicola thoracicus)
    Chinese bamboo-partridge is native to China. It is also found in Japan and Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status:: Least Concern
  • The ruffed grouse can be found in Alaska and Canada south to California, Wyoming, Minnesota, Missouri and the Carolinas. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ruffed Grouse (female)
    (Bonasa umbellus)
    The ruffed grouse can be found in Alaska and Canada south to California, Wyoming, Minnesota, Missouri and the Carolinas. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The spruce grouse is found in most parts of Canada, except for the extreme north. In the United States, it is found in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Michigan, and Northern New England, including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spruce Grouse (male)
    (Canachites canadensis)
    The spruce grouse is found in most parts of Canada, except for the extreme north. In the United States, it is found in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Michigan, and Northern New England, including New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Gunnison basin in the Gunnison Basin in Gunnison and Saguache counties in Colorado, with a small population in southeast Utah. It is threatened by habitat fragmentation. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
    Gunnison Grouse
    (Centrocercus minimus)
    Gunnison basin in the Gunnison Basin in Gunnison and Saguache counties in Colorado, with a small population in southeast Utah. It is threatened by habitat fragmentation. IUCN Redlist Status: Endangered
  • The sage grouse is found in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada and in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. It is the largest species of North American grouse. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Sage Grouse (male)
    (Centrocercus urophasianus)
    The sage grouse is found in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada and in Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. It is the largest species of North American grouse. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The Japanese quail breeds in Mongolia, Russia, China, Japan, North Korea and South Korea. It winters in China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan and India. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Japanese Quail
    (Coturnix japonica)
    The Japanese quail breeds in Mongolia, Russia, China, Japan, North Korea and South Korea. It winters in China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan and India. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The sooty grouse was once thought to be the darker, coastal subspecies of the blue grouse. DNA analysis showed the the blue grouse was actually two separate species, the sooty grouse and the dusky grouse. It is found from British Columbia , Canada south to California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sooty Grouse
    (Dendragapus fuliginosus)
    The sooty grouse was once thought to be the darker, coastal subspecies of the blue grouse. DNA analysis showed the the blue grouse was actually two separate species, the sooty grouse and the dusky grouse. It is found from British Columbia , Canada south to California. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The dusky grouse was once known as the blue grouse. It is found in across the western United States and Canada. It was once thought to be a subspecies of the blue grouse, but DNA analysis established that it was its own species. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Dusky Grouse (male)
    (Dendragapus obscurus)
    The dusky grouse was once known as the blue grouse. It is found in across the western United States and Canada. It was once thought to be a subspecies of the blue grouse, but DNA analysis established that it was its own species. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black francolin is native to Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Cyprus, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. It has also been introduced to other regions, including Guam, Hawaii, Florida, and Louisiana. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black Francolin
    (Francolinus francolinus)
    The black francolin is native to Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, Cyprus, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria, Turkey, and Turkmenistan. It has also been introduced to other regions, including Guam, Hawaii, Florida, and Louisiana. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The red junglefowl is the wild ancestor of all domestic poultry. It is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. It has been introduced to the United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Red Junglefowl
    (Gallus gallus)
    The red junglefowl is the wild ancestor of all domestic poultry. It is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. It has been introduced to the United States. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The the willow mptarmigan, also known as the willow ptarmigan's range stretches from Alaska to Labrador and south to central British Columbia , northern Ontario, and central Quebec. It can also be found in parts of northern Asia and Europe. Some ptarmigan populations migrate south in the winter.
    Willow Ptarmigan
    (Lagopus lagopus)
    The the willow mptarmigan, also known as the willow ptarmigan's range stretches from Alaska to Labrador and south to central British Columbia , northern Ontario, and central Quebec. It can also be found in parts of northern Asia and Europe. Some ptarmigan populations migrate south in the winter.
  • The white-tailed ptarmigan is found from southeastern Alaska and Yukon to northern Washington and Montana. It is also found in some parts of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and New Mexico. It has been introduced to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Uinta Mountains in Utah. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    White-Tailed Ptarmigan
    (Lagopus leucura)
    The white-tailed ptarmigan is found from southeastern Alaska and Yukon to northern Washington and Montana. It is also found in some parts of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and New Mexico. It has been introduced to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the Uinta Mountains in Utah. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The range of the rock ptarmigan is circumpolar. Its territory spreads in a circle around the Arctic. In North America, it is found in Alaska and northern Canada. It is also found in Scandinavia, Russia, Finland, Greenland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Rock Ptarmigan
    (Lagopus muta)
    The range of the rock ptarmigan is circumpolar. Its territory spreads in a circle around the Arctic. In North America, it is found in Alaska and northern Canada. It is also found in Scandinavia, Russia, Finland, Greenland. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Kalij pheasant is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Kalij Pheasant
    (Lophura leucomelanos)
    The Kalij pheasant is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black grouse is found across much of Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to the U.S. and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black Grouse
    (Lyrurus tetrix)
    The black grouse is found across much of Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to the U.S. and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The wild turkey is found throughout the eastern United States from extreme southern Canada south to northern Mexico and east to Arizona. It is also found in isolated pockets in some western states where it has been introduced. The wild turkey is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Wild Turkey
    (Meleagris gallopavo)
    The wild turkey is found throughout the eastern United States from extreme southern Canada south to northern Mexico and east to Arizona. It is also found in isolated pockets in some western states where it has been introduced. The wild turkey is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The ocellated turkey is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Ocellated Turkey (male)
    (Meleagris ocellata)
    The ocellated turkey is found in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The gray francolin is found in India, Iran, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Turkmenistan. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Grey Francolin
    (Ortygornis pondicerianus)
    The gray francolin is found in India, Iran, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Turkmenistan. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Indian peafowl is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Indian Peafowl
    (Pavo cristatus)
    The Indian peafowl is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The gray partridge is a non-native species in North America. It is originally from Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North America as a game bird and is now found in the north central United States and south central Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Gray Partridge
    (Perdix perdix)
    The gray partridge is a non-native species in North America. It is originally from Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North America as a game bird and is now found in the north central United States and south central Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The ring-necked pheasant, also known as the common pheasant, The ring-necked pheasant was introduced into North America from Asia around 200 years ago. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Ring-Necked Pheasant
    (Phasianus colchicus)
    The ring-necked pheasant, also known as the common pheasant, The ring-necked pheasant was introduced into North America from Asia around 200 years ago. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The green pheasant is found in Japan. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Green Pheasant
    (Phasianus versicolor)
    The green pheasant is found in Japan. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Erckel's Spurfowl, also known as Erckel's francolin, is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Erckel's Spurfowl
    (Pternistis erckelii)
    Erckel's Spurfowl, also known as Erckel's francolin, is found in Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Sudan. It has been introduced to Hawaii. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Himalayan snowcock is found in Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It has been introduced to the mountains of Nevada in the 1960s. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Himalayan Snowcock
    (Tetraogallus himalayensis)
    The Himalayan snowcock is found in Afghanistan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It has been introduced to the mountains of Nevada in the 1960s. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The greater prairie-chicken is found in the midwestern United States. During the mating season, males make a loud “booming” noise that can be heard half a mile away. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
    Greater Prairie-Chicken (male)
    (Tympanuchus cupido)
    The greater prairie-chicken is found in the midwestern United States. During the mating season, males make a loud “booming” noise that can be heard half a mile away. IUCN Redlist Status: Near Threatened
  • The lesser prairie-chicken is found in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
    Lesser Prairie-Chicken
    (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus)
    The lesser prairie-chicken is found in Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Vulnerable
  • The sharp-tailed grouse is found in Canada and the United States from Alaska east to Quebec and south to Utah, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Sharp-Tailed Grouse
    (Tympanuchus phasianellus)
    The sharp-tailed grouse is found in Canada and the United States from Alaska east to Quebec and south to Utah, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern

Did You Know?

sharp-tailed grouse
The sharp-tailed grouse is a member of this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

Ruffed Grouse - Bonasa umbellusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Spruce Grouse - Canachites canadensis Least ConcernNorth/Central America
Wild Turkey - Meleagris gallopavoLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

Other Species Around the World

Chukar - Alectoris chukarLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaAsia
Gray Partridge - Perdix perdixLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsia
Greater Sage Grouse - Centrocercus urophasianusNear ThreatenedNorth/Central America
Rock Ptarmigan - Lagopus mutusLeast ConcernNorth/Central AmericaEuropeAsia
Sooty Grouse - Dendragapus fuliginosusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
White-Tailed Ptarmigan - Lagopus leucuraLeast ConcernNorth/Central America
Willow Ptarmigan - Lagopus lagopusLeast ConcernNorth/Central America

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