Poultry

Reeves's Pheasant

B tier

Reeves's pheasant is a large Chinese species with extraordinarily long tail feathers on cocks and substantial, lean meat when taken as game or culled from collections. Flavour is stronger and more robust than common pheasant, with a firm texture that likes moist heat if the bird is mature. Braise or carefully roast young birds; the size can approach a small chicken. Specialty hunters and estates sometimes offer it. Tail ornament is irrelevant once plucked—judge by age and fat cover.

Also known as: Reeves's pheasant, Reeves pheasant (specialty)