The green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor), also known as the Japanese green pheasant, is endemic to the Japanese archipelago, and is the national bird of Japan symbolising harmony and elegance. Legend has it that green pheasants are remarkably sensitive to seismic activity, and their vocalizations are believed to warn of impending earthquakes. The male has dark green plumage on the breast, neck, mantle, and flanks, whereas the female has brownish-black coloured plumage. The nominate subspecies, Phasianus versicolor versicolor, is called the southern green pheasant or kiji. The Pacific green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor tamensis) and northern green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor robustipes) are the other two subspecies.
