Distribution, density and biological breeding of white wing pheasant (Phasianus colchicus principalis, Sclater, 1885) in Northeast of Iran

Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus، Linnaeus، 1758) is an endemic naturally distributed in the Palearctic regions. White wing pheasant (P. c. principalis) is distributed from Turkmenistan and north of Afghanistan along to Harir-Rud river in northeast of Iran. This study was the first attempt to determine the geographical range، density and breeding biology of white wing pheasant populations in northeast of Iran. To do so، 36 stations were defined in the breeding range of the species in two cities، namely Sarakhs and Dargaz in northeast of Iran. The breeding behaviors including egg lying، hatching and feeding behavior of chicks'' were monitored and photographed using camera traps in 14 active nests in 10 stations. Collected data showed that white wing pheasant had a simple nest shape; breeding season started in early April; hatching began end of May and lasted 24±1 days (based on 14 active nests) and finally enjoiyed little parental caring، particularly for the males. Comparative morphometrical data for eggs (length and width)، nest and clutch size showed that there was a significant variation between the studied populations (P<0. 05، ANOVA)، in which the populations could be separated based on discriminant function analysis and the euclidean eendrogram. Comparision of morphometrical data of eggs in captive and wild nests showed that there was a significant length variation between them (P<0. 05).