South Dakota State Bird – Ring-necked Pheasant

State Bird of South Dakota

Ring-necked Pheasant

The Chinese ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is the state bird. It was introduced to South Dakota in 1898 and is easily recognized by its colorful plumage. It was officially adopted as the state bird in 1943 by South Dakota legislature. 

Since it is primarily a Midwestern bird, pheasant is considered a delicacy in many other states. Ring-necked pheasant are not big flyers unless they are feel threatened particularly by predators. They prefer walking and running. 

The South Dakota state bird, the Ringed-necked Pheasant, is a bird that was imported to America from Asia, and therefore has no place in Audubon’s Birds of America, which is comprised exclusively of wild birds native to North America.