Survival and reproduction of female Sichuan, ring-necked, and F1 hybrid pheasants

Sichuan pheasants (Phasianus coldlicus strauchi) ware introduced in Michigan because it was believed they would exhibit higher survival rates than existing; ring-necked pheasants (P. c, torquatus). We evaluated survival and reproduction of female Sichuan pheasants, ring-necked, and F-1 hybrid pheasants (P. c. strauchi x P. c. torquatus) hatched. and reared in captivity and released in southern Michigan. Spring-to-fall survival probabilities of hybrids (0.275) were greater (P = 0.048) than those of ring-necked (0.116) and Sichuan females (0.106). First nests of ring-necks had more eggs than first nests of both Sichuans and hybrids. Daily nest survival rates did not differ among pheasant types. Greater survival by hybrid females resulted in seasonal production of 2.45 chicks/female, which was greater than the 1.37 chicks/female for ring-necks and 0.83 chicks/female for Sichuans (P = 0.007). While releases of pen-reared pheasants to establish or increase wild pheasant populations are often ineffective, use of pheasants with potential for diverse gene pools may increase chances of success.