Among the most important of all bird groups, pheasants account for the most abundant domesticated species (the domestic fowl), the most extensively hunted upland game bird (the common pheasant) and some of the most spectacularly beautiful of all large birds (the giant argus). This lavishly illustrated volume gives up-to-date information on the distribution, status and biology of all 49 species, with special attention paid to those that are vulnerable, rare, or threatened. Including range maps and identification keys, The Pheasants of the World is a comprehensive reference not only for ornithologists and conservationists seeking to ensure the survival of the group, but also for aviculturists and others who want to better understand the nature of these splendid birds.