Quiz Bird Answer

Thanks to those who a participated in the quiz. Here's a better pic of the bird. I'll admit that this bird threw me for a loop when I first spotted it crossing in front of my car. It was a "What the heck is that?" moment. The lack of a tail was what made it tricky. This is a way-more-than-likely-stocked female Ring-necked Pheasant. It was extremely tame and let me approach in the car within 6 feet or so as it meandered along picking at the ground. I assume the lack of tail is either the result of being raised in a cage, the result of a predator, or the result of running from a man carrying a weapon. Congrats to Kiggavik for guessing correctly. According to my brother the hunter, hens are only stocked with a permit or by the state. Private hunting clubs usually only stock males.