Figure 1. Approximate distribution of the Ring-necked Pheasant in North America.

This species was also introduced to South America and the Hawaiian Islands, but of those 2 places, viable populations exist only in the Hawaiian Islands. For remainder of worldwide distribution, see text. Delineation based on Breeding Bird Survey (Sauer et al. 1999) and Breeding Bird Atlases. Distribution boundaries should be interpreted cautiously because annual releases obscure the status and delineation of resident breeding populations; breeding is discontinuous in many areas.