Green Pheasant
Phasianus versicolor
The Green Pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) is a rare partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 6 countries, weighing about 919 g. The green pheasant, also known as the Japanese green pheasant or Kiji, is an omnivorous bird native to the Japanese archipelago, to which it is endemic.
About the Green Pheasant
The green pheasant, also known as the Japanese green pheasant or Kiji, is an omnivorous bird native to the Japanese archipelago, to which it is endemic. Some taxonomic authorities consider it a subspecies of the common pheasant, Phasianus colchicus. It is the national bird of Japan.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The male (cock) southern green pheasant, P. v. versicolor, has dark green plumage on the breast, neck, mantle, and flanks. The male also has a bluish-purplish hood with clear ear tufts, red wattles, and a long, pale grey-banded tail. The female (hen) is smaller than the male, with a shorter tail, and has brownish-black colored plumage, with dark brown feathers fringed pale brown. The males of this subspecies have the darkest plumage, which is mainly green. The male Pacific green pheasant, P. v. tamensis, has lighter plumage than the nominate subspecies. Its feathers are more purple and blue.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, France, Belgium, Italy, United Kingdom.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, October, November, December, with peak activity in April. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Green Pheasant?
- The male (cock) southern green pheasant, P. v. versicolor, has dark green plumage on the breast, neck, mantle, and flanks. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Green Pheasant?
- The Green Pheasant is a large sized bird weighing about 919 g.
- Where can you see a Green Pheasant?
- The Green Pheasant occurs in 6 countries, including Japan.
- What birds look similar to a Green Pheasant?
- The Green Pheasant is most easily confused with the Common Pheasant.
- Is the Green Pheasant endangered?
- The Green Pheasant is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Green Pheasant for real
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