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Green pheasant

life science Maturity 5-7 Next article →

The green pheasant is a special bird from the Japanese islands.

In Japan, people call this bird the Kiji. It is the national bird of Japan. A non-government group named it the national bird in 1947. People see the female walking with her chicks as a sign of harmony. This bird is very important to the culture of Japan.

Faisan versicolore MHNT
Faisan versicolore MHNT

Male and female birds look very different from each other. The male southern green pheasant has dark green feathers on its neck and chest. He has a blue or purple hood and red wattles on his face. He also has a long tail with pale grey bands.

Faisan versicolore MHNT
Faisan versicolore MHNT

The female is smaller and has a shorter tail. She has brownish-black feathers with pale brown edges. These females look much more alike than the males do.

There are three different types of green pheasants. These are called subspecies. The first is the southern green pheasant, also called the Kiji. The second is the Pacific green pheasant, which has more purple and blue feathers.

Faisan versicolore MHNT
Faisan versicolore MHNT

The third is the northern green pheasant. This one has the lightest feathers and a bronze color on its head. Some of these birds can even breed with common pheasants.

These birds find food in many different places. In the wild, they are omnivores. This means they eat both plants and small animals. They eat grains, seeds, and plants. They also eat worms and insects.

In captivity, people feed them pellets and live food. They live in woodlands, forests, and grasslands. They also like to stay near farms and human homes.

Green pheasants have a busy breeding season. It starts in March or April and ends in June. A bird can start breeding when it is one year old. The female lays a clutch of six to fifteen eggs.

Faisan versicolore MHNT
Faisan versicolore MHNT

She sits on the eggs to keep them warm. This is called incubation. It takes 23 to 25 days for the eggs to hatch. You can see a green pheasant egg to learn more.

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File:Faisan versicolore MHNT.jpg
Faisan versicolore MHNT.jpg
Kiji inthewild - Kanagawa - 2026 3 8.webm
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