Pheasant motilin, its distribution and gastrointestinal contractility-stimulating action in the pheasant

•Pheasant motilin mRNA was expressed in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum.•Pheasant motilin contracted pheasant small intestines by action on smooth muscle.•Pheasant motilin contracted pheasant proventriculus by action on cholinergic neurons.•Erythromycin and GM106 were ineffective in the pheasant gastrointestinal tract.•Pheasant motilin might be a regulator of small intestinal motility in pheasants.