Scientific Publications

An evaluation of the distance at which direct ecological effects of released pheasants extend beyond their release sites

Madden, J., Woodburn, M., Bealey, C.E., Werling, J.L., Banks, A., Abrahams, D. & Sage, R.
2026. Ecology & Evolution, 16 (e73170): 1-12

Seasonal densities of released Common Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and Red-legged Partridges (Alectoris rufa) on land used for shooting and on nearby non-release land in southern England

Sage, R.B., Woodburn, M.I.A. & Coomes, J.
2025. Bird Study, 1-15

Released Pheasants and invertebrates – a discussion of Devlin et al. (2021)

Sage, R.B.
2022. Milvus: The Journal of the Welsh Ornithological Society, 1: 41-43.

The effects of released pheasants on invertebrate populations in and around woodland release sites

Hall, A., Sage, R.A., & Madden, J.R.
2021. Ecology and Evolution, 11(19): 13559-13569.

Summary review and synthesis - Effects on habitats and wildlife of the release and management of pheasants and red-legged partridges on UK lowland shoots

Sage, R.B., Hoodless, A.N., Woodburn, M.I.A., Draycott, R.A.H., Madden, J.R., & Sotherton, N.W.
2020. Wildlife Biology, 2020(wlb.00766): 1-12.

The effect of game management on the conservation value of woodland rides

Capstick, L.A., Draycott, R.A.H., Wheelwright, C.M., Ling, D.E., Sage, R.B., & Hoodless A.N.
2019. Forest Ecology and Management, 454(117242): 1-11.

Ground flora recovery in disused pheasant pens is limited and affected by pheasant release density

Capstick, L.A., Sage, R.B., & Hoodless, A.
2019. Biological Conservation, 231: 181-188.

The Influence of Syngamus trachea on Pheasant Populations

Gethings, O.J.
2018. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. Harper Adams University, Newport.

Predation of released pheasants Phasianus colchicus on lowland farmland in the UK and the effect of predator control

Sage, R.B., Turner, C.V., Woodburn, M.I.A., Hoodless, A.N., Draycott, R.A.H. & Sotherton, N.W.
2018. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 64(14): 1-8.

Pheasant release in Great Britain: long-term and large-scale changes in the survival of a managed bird

Robertson, P.A., Mill, A.C., Rushton, S.P., McKenzie, A.J., Sage, R.B., & Aebischer, N.J.
2017. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 63(100): 1-10.

Differences in social preference between the sexes during ontogeny drive segregation in a precocial species

Whiteside, M.A., van Horik, J.O., Langley, E.J.G., Beardworth, C.E., Laker, P.R., & Madden, J.R.
2017. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 71(103): 1-13.

Body condition is negatively associated with infection with Syngamus trachea in the Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

Gethings, O.J., Sage, R.B., Morgan, E.R., & Leather, S.R.
2016. Veterinary Parasitology, 228: 1-5.

Density-dependent regulation of fecundity in Syngamus trachea infrapopulations in semi-naturally occurring ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and wild Carrion Crows (Corvus corone)

Gethings, O.J., Sage, R.B., & Leather, S.R.
2016. Parasitology, 143: 716-722.

Multiple behavioural, morphological and cognitive developmental changes arise from a single alteration to early life spatial environment, resulting in fitness consequences for released pheasants

Whiteside, M.A., Sage, R.B., & Madden, J.R.
2016. Royal Society Open Science, 3: 1-11. DOI:10.1098/rsos.160008.

Exploring the Impact of Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Predation on Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scotica

Francksen, R.M.
2015. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Spatial distribution of infectious stages of the nematode Syngamus trachea within pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) release pens on estates in the south-west of England: potential density dependence?

Gethings, O.J., Sage, R.B., & Leather, S.R.
2015. Veterinary Parasitology, 212: 267-274.

Releasing of pheasants for shooting in the UK alters woodland invertebrate communities

Neumann, J.L., Holloway, G.J., Sage, R.B., & Hoodless, A.N.
2015. Biological Conservation, 191: 50-59.

Diet complexity in early life affects survival in released pheasants by altering foraging efficiency, food choice, handling skills and gut morphology

Whiteside, M.A., Sage, R.B., & Madden, J.R.
2015. Journal of Animal Ecology, 84: 1480-1489.

How Early Rearing Conditions Influence Behaviour and Survival of Pheasants Released into the Wild

Whiteside, M.A.
2015. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. University of Exeter, Exeter.

The effects of plastic spectacles on the condition and behaviour of pheasants

Butler, D.A., & Davis, C.
2014. Veterinary Record, 174: 198 (doi: 10.1136/vr.102059).

The influence of pheasant releasing and associated management on farmland hedgerows and birds in England.

Draycott, R.A.H., Hoodless, A.N., Cooke, M., & Sage, R.B.
2012. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 58: 227-234.

Synergistic effects of supplementation of dietary antioxidants during growth on adult phenotype in ring-necked pheasants, Phasianus colchicus.

Orledge, J.M., Blount, J.D., Hoodless, A.N., Pike, T.W., & Royle, N.J.
2012. Functional Ecology, 26: 254-264.

Antioxidant supplementation during early development reduces parasite load but does not affect sexual ornament expression in adult ring-necked pheasants.

Orledge, J.M., Blount, J.D., Hoodless, A.N., & Royle, N.J.
2012. Functional Ecology, 26: 688-700.

Consequences of Trade-Offs During Growth and Development in Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).

Orledge, J.M.
2011. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. University of Exeter, Exeter.

Effects of plastic bits on the condition and behaviour of captive-reared pheasants.

Butler, D.A. & Davis, C.
2010. Veterinary Record, 166: 398-401.

Pheasants, parasites and partridges.

Potts, G.R.
2010. British Birds, 103: 123.

Survival and habitat use of wild pheasant broods on farmland in Lower Austria.

Bliss, T.H., Anderson, B.C., Draycott, R.A.H. & Carroll, J.P.
2009. In: Cederbaum, S.B., Faircloth, B.C., Terhune, T.M., Thompson, J.J. & Carroll, J.P. (eds) Gamebird 2006: Quail VI and Perdix XII: 410-419. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, USA.

Provision of brood-rearing cover on agricultural land to increase survival of wild ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus broods at Seefeld Estate, Lower Austria, Austria.

Draycott, R.A.H., Bliss, T.H., Carroll, J.P., & Pock, K.
2009. Conservation Evidence, 6: 6-10.

Costs and Benefits of Maternally Derived Immunity in a Game Bird System.

Ellis, M.B.
2009. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh.

Long-term changes in the prevalences of caecal nematodes and histomonosis in gamebirds in the UK and the interaction with poultry.

Potts, G.R.
2009. Veterinary Record, 164: 715-718.

Restoring a gray partridge (Perdix perdix) population and the future of predation control.

Potts, G.R.
2009. In: Cederbaum, S.B., Faircloth, B.C., Terhune, T.M., Thompson, J.J. & Carroll, J.P. (eds) Gamebird 2006: Quail VI and Perdix XII: 24-25. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, USA.

The flora and structure of farmland hedges and hedgebanks near to pheasant release pens compared with other hedges.

Sage, R.B., Woodburn, M.I.A., Draycott, R.A.H., Hoodless, A.N., & Clarke, S.
2009. Biological Conservation, 142: 1362-1369.

Age determination of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) using discriminant analysis.

Woodburn, M.I.A., Carroll, J.P., Robertson, P.A. & Hoodless, A.N.
2009. In: Cederbaum, S.B., Faircloth, B.C., Terhune, T.M., Thompson, J.J. & Carroll, J.P. (eds) Gamebird 2006: Quail VI and Perdix XII: 505-516. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, USA.

Effects of pheasant management on vegetation and birds in lowland woodlands.

Draycott, R.A.H., Hoodless, A.N., & Sage, R.B.
2008. Journal of Applied Ecology, 45: 334-341.

Nest predation of Common Pheasants Phasianus colchicus.

Draycott, R.A.H., Hoodless, A.N., Woodburn, M.I.A., & Sage, R.B.
2008. Ibis (Suppl. 1), 150: 37-44.

Singing Fields. Why Gamekeeping Helps Birds in the Countryside.

Tapper, S.C.
2007. Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Fordingbridge.

The Fate and Management of Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) Released in the UK.

Turner, C.V.
2007. Unpublished Ph.D thesis. Imperial College, University of London, London.

The Impact of Released Gamebirds on the Nature Conservation Value of Chalk Grassland in Central Southern England.

Callegari, S.E.
2006. Unpublished Ph.D. thesis. University of Reading, Reading.

The effect of an indirect anthelmintic treatment on parasites and breeding success of free-living pheasants Phasianus colchicus.

Draycott, R.A.H., Woodburn, M.I.A., Ling, D.E., & Sage, R.B.
2006. Journal of Helminthology, 80: 409-415.

Haematology and biochemistry in healthy young pheasants and red-legged partridges and effects of spironucleosis on these parameters.

Lloyd, S. & Gibson, J.S.
2006. Avian Pathology, 35: 335-340.