The updated Ring-necked Pheasant rendered in Iray from my 2006 Gamebirds set. The Ring-necked Pheasant is one of the most popular “Gamebirds" and is hunted extensively. The bird was brought to Britain around the 10th century but became extinct in the early 17th century. It was then reintroduced in the 1830s and is now widespread. Continual reintroduction has made the pheasant a very variable species in regard to size and plumage. Pheasants were introduced to North America in the 18th century. It is endemic to Asia. In natural range, the diet consists primarily of plant matter, with much less animal food: fruits, seeds, leaves, buds and insects in autumn; fresh buds, grasses, leaves, insects and small invertebrates in spring; birds seen flying into grain fields to feed. Where introduced, a very diverse diet has been described, depending on local and seasonal food availability, indicating opportunism and omnivorous tendency; prefers large, energy-rich kinds of food, e.g. cultivated grains, mast and fruits. In bad weather, pheasants are known to stay in their roost for several days without eating, waiting out the storm. Pheasants are short-distance fliers and prefer to run. If startled they can suddenly burst upwards at great speed. Their flight speed is only 27 to 38 mph when cruising but when chased they can fly up to 60 mph. Rendered in Iray without any post work. Models include Stonemason's Willow Creek and my Songbird ReMix Gamebirds V1.