By Seth Owens

Pheasants and other upland game birds like grouse and partridge require a variety of habitats to thrive throughout the year. Among these, brood-rearing habitat is especially critical for their survival and population sustainability. Understanding the specific needs of pheasants during this period is essential for effective conservation efforts.

Importance of Brood Rearing Habitat

Brood-rearing habitat becomes crucial immediately after chicks hatch, typically from late spring through summer. During this vulnerable period, pheasant chicks face high mortality rates due to predation and exposure to harsh environmental conditions. Therefore, providing optimal brood-rearing habitat is vital to their survival. Good brood-rearing habitat contains the following facets.

1. Vegetative Cover: Adequate overhead and lateral cover are essential to protect chicks from predators and extreme weather. Vegetation like tall wheat stubble, alfalfa regrowth, and cover crops offer the necessary structure to shield chicks while providing easy access to food sources. This type of cover not only offers protection but also helps in temperature regulation, which is critical for chicks that have not yet developed the ability to thermoregulate.

2. Insect Abundance: Nutrition is a key factor for the growth of young pheasants, and they rely heavily on insects during their early days. Diverse plant communities that support a rich insect population are ideal. Areas with a mix of wildflowers, legumes, and bunch-grasses typically offer the best conditions for foraging chicks, ensuring they have access to a high-protein diet that is essential for their development.

3. Bare Ground: For ease of movement and foraging, pheasant chicks need areas of bare ground interspersed with vegetation. Effective land management practices, such as disking or controlled burns, promote early-successional plants and help maintain the necessary balance of bare ground and vegetative cover.

Comparing Brood Rearing to Other Seasonal Habitats

While brood-rearing habitat is indispensable during the first stages of life, other seasonal habitats also play significant roles throughout the year:

1. Nesting Habitat: In the spring, secure nesting cover is essential for egg laying and incubation. This habitat must provide dense, undisturbed vegetation to protect nests from predators and adverse weather conditions. Unlike brood-rearing habitat, nesting sites are chosen primarily for their security and cover rather than proximity to food sources.

2. Winter Habitat: During the winter months, pheasants require habitats that offer protection from cold weather and access to high-energy food sources. Dense grasses, shelterbelts, and strategically placed food plots are critical during this period. These habitats must provide both cover and food in close proximity to minimize energy expenditure and reduce exposure to predators.

3. Food Plots: Throughout the year, but especially in winter, food plots are essential for providing the necessary nutrition. These plots should be strategically placed near cover to reduce the need for pheasants to venture into open, exposed areas. Corn and grain sorghum are generally the most reliable food sources, offering the needed sustenance during harsh winter conditions.

Integrated Habitat Management

Effective conservation for pheasants involves integrating these habitat types to ensure year-round support. Key strategies include the following focal points.

1. Ensuring Continuity: Maintaining connected habitats that cater to the different life stages of pheasants—from nesting through brood-rearing to winter survival—is essential for their overall well-being.

2. Promoting Diversity: Encouraging a mix of plant species supports a robust ecosystem that meets the diverse needs of pheasants throughout the year. This diversity not only benefits pheasants but also other wildlife that share their habitat.

3. Adaptive Practices: Utilizing adaptive land management practices such as rotational grazing, controlled burns, and selective planting helps create and sustain high-quality habitats. These practices ensure that the habitat remains suitable for pheasants and other wildlife over time.

While each type of habitat plays a crucial role in the life cycle of pheasants, brood-rearing habitat is particularly important for ensuring the survival of young pheasants. By focusing on creating and maintaining these habitats, conservation efforts can significantly improve the sustainability and resilience of pheasant populations.

Seth Owens is a Dakota Edge Outdoors contributing writer and the Education and Outreach Coordinator for North Dakota Pheasants Forever.

Featured Photo: Brood rearing habitat is key in getting young upland birds like pheasants closer to their adult stages, like this young rooster.  A combination of vegetative cover with some space and a good selection of insect forage is vital in accomplishing that mission. DEO Photo by Seth Owens/NDPF.