Common Pheasant
Japan's national bird, well-known from the folk tale Momotaro.
| Scientific name | Phasianus versicolor |
| English name | Common Pheasant |
| Japanese name | 雉 |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Phasianus |
| Species | versicolor |
| Full length | 58-81cm |
| Distribution | Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu |
Common Pheasant Characteristics and Morphology
Males and females differ significantly in body size and appearance. The body is large and rounded, with a long tail.
Male
Reaches a total length of about 80cm. The entire body is colorful and beautiful.
The head appears red, but this is the wattle around the eyes. The base feather color is blue-green. The iris is yellow. The bill is pale brown, short, and sharp.
The throat is dark blue and the body is green. Both exhibit a metallic luster. The wings are brown. White spots line the primary feathers.
The tail feathers are long, with brown lines on a pale brown background. The legs are gray, thick, and powerful.
Female
Smaller than the male, with the entire body being brown.
The area around the eyes is edged in pale brown.
Brown feathers are arranged like scales from the neck to the chest and back.
The tail feathers are shorter compared to the male.
Song
Characterized by a "ke-en ke-en" call; this vocalization combined with the wing action is called "horouchi."
Common Pheasant Ecology
Habitat
Inhabits open areas such as forests, riverbeds, and farmland.
Food
Eats plants such as grass seeds as well as insects.
Life Cycle
During the breeding season, they mainly move in pairs, and the female raises the young. They can also be polygynous.
Common Pheasant Photos
Common Pheasant Photos are introduced.
Tap the photo to open the detail page.
Common Pheasant Behavior
To mark territory, they occasionally let out a loud "ke-en" cry. They are also known for a behavior called "horouchi" (wing-drumming), where they beat their wings against their bodies to create sound. They usually move by walking and will run away if they sense danger.
Common Pheasant Information
Naming
The scientific name "versicolor" means "changing colors," derived from the male's multi-colored appearance.
This bird has been familiar to the Japanese people since ancient times and is designated as the national bird. It is also a game bird, and individuals are released annually. These released pheasants are fitted with leg bands.
Common Pheasant Found Locations
Asa River, Hachioji City
Discovered in an open riverbed area of the Asa River. Being a relatively conspicuous bird, it can be spotted even while riding a bicycle. It was searching for food while walking on the ground and occasionally calling out loudly. Male territories do not seem to overlap, as they were spaced at regular intervals along the river. They do not flee immediately even if approached within 10 meters, but once they fully notice a person, they retreat into the thickets.
