Wednesday, January 23, 2008

A Break in the Ice ~ OR ~ Phasianus colchicus

As in Waddle I do now?

The adult male Ringneck pheasant is called a rooster, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. They are very easy to identify. Female pheasants are called hens. The females look like the color of dead grass and leaves; they are well camouflaged with their surroundings.

Archeological evidence suggests that large pheasants lived in southern France in the Miocene period, some 13 million years ago. The Greeks knew the bird in the 10th Century B.C. and we have adopted their name for the species, Phasianus ornis (phasian bird), derived from the Phasis River (now Rion) near the Caucasus Mountains. The Chinese knew the pheasant some 3,000 years ago, but the Romans are considered responsible for the spread of pheasants in Western Europe. When Julius Caesar invaded England in the first century B.C., the pheasant followed.
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Goo Gobs of Photos here: Every Jan 21 my Sweetie and some of his “MAN FRIENDS” go Bird hunting for Pheasant. This is always exciting because I get to “fix” or “try” a new recipe. The fun part is picking the BUCKSHOT out… Because of the buckshot, the recipe has to be conducive to torn bits of the bird and not the fabulous presentation of a complete body, if you get my drift. Recipes Galore HERE! AND More here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are 35 species of pheasant in 11 different genera. The best-known is the Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) which is widespread throughout the world in introduced feral populations and in farm operations. Various other pheasant species are popular in aviaries, such as the Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus).
Now to get this weekends menu completed ~ out of town friends spending the weekend WHAT FUN!
I have been STEWING over the menu for weeks! Their timing could not have been more perfect…
My Sweetie is in the Group Photo…he is the most HANDSOME one and another HINT, he is wearing Orange… ~~~~ ;) There that should be easier for you all to pick him out!

3 comments:

imac said...

Cute birds and eaten as well POOR things, Tasty tho.

Tom said...

I've never seen a Ringneck before... I have eat lots of these fine tasty birds. My oldest son cut his teeth on them. He was forever sneaking in the fridge to pick at them.
I really enjoyed the info and the recipes in this post.
When I get a pheasent now I just use the breast meat, wrapped in bacon...and cooked in the over slowly

mrsnesbitt said...

We often have pheasant...neighbours are farmers you see.
We have some in our garden most mornings.

Check out ABC Wednesday over on my blog, I think you'll enjoy it!