Hello,

My only bit of advice on this, is that although one Silver Pheasant is an interesting oddity, two (ie. a pair) can become a problem. In Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island BC, a dozen or so Silver Pheasants were released from a bankrupt zoo back in the early seventies. They nest very successfully in the arbutus/doug fir forests around here, and have spread at least ten kilometers north, 6 kilometers west, and 16 kilometers south of their original release point. More are being seen every winter, when they come into peoples yards to visit bird feeders. During the summer, they melt back into the drier south facing hillside woodlands and except for the raucous calls, are rarely noticed. We have a similar situation developing with hunters foolishly releasing Chukars and Wild Turkeys on Vancouver Island. Both now appear to be breeding successfully, increasing in numbers, and spreading. And this at a time when native game birds such as Ruffed Grouse and Blue Grouse are undergoing serious declines.
My advice would be to attract the bird with chicken scratch, and after he gets comforatble, try baiting him into an enclosure. Once captured it shouldn't be too difficult to find someone to take him. They are a striking bird.
adios,
Guy L. Monty
Parksville, BC
----- Original Message -----
From: LDavey at aol.com
To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 9:53 AM
Subject: Silver Pheasant on the loose in Sammamish


Tweets:

We did not see or hear the escapee again last night, but he is most certainly around this morning, bless his heart. Our resident crows aren't taking too kindly to this odd-looking visitor, and so the poor thing is being mobbed relentlessly.

He is perched high in a tree, and being very, very vocal. The sound reminds me of being at the zoo and hearing the peacocks call out, only the vibe is more "distressed pheasant" if you can imagine what that might sound like.

Does anyone have any thoughts as to how one might go about finding the owner of the pheasant? Or, should I call the local wildlife authorities, or some other organization? Should I just stay out of it and go about my business?

Thanks,

Linda Davey
on Pine Lake in Sammamish