Habitat requirements of ring-necked pheasant hens (Phasianus colchicus) on farmland in lower Austria during nesting and brood rearing

Ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) are an important game species in Austria where populations have declined precipitously during the last half century. Given the lack of knowledge of populations within Austria, this research was conducted to determine habitat use and survival of pheasant hens during the breeding season and for broods during the first 21 days after hatching. Hen pheasants establish home ranges around set-aside and wetland habitats and nest in set aside. Brooding hens prefer to use set aside habitat and that game crop positively affects brood survival. Predation is the main reason for loss of hens and broods. Therefore, in order to increase the population of pheasants I suggest increasing the availability of set aside, wetland, and game crop habitats while incorporating supplemental feeding and predator control.