Sado Wildlife in Focus | The Secret Life of Japan's National Bird, the Green Pheasant

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Four years have passed since I moved from Tokyo to Sado Island. My reason for moving was to photograph the crested ibis, designated a Special Natural Monument of Japan. Now, my lens has turned to another familiar resident: the green pheasant, Japan's national bird. I often find them strutting confidently through my garden.

These days, the pheasant's shrill cries of "kek-kek-kek" often jolt me awake, just as I'm savoring my last few moments of sleep before an early shoot.

Green pheasants are not strong fliers. Instead, they prefer to stay hidden among fields and reed beds. Males are especially striking, with long tail feathers, an iridescent green body reminiscent of a peacock, and a vivid red face. During the breeding season (April to July), the red fleshy patches on their faces swell into a heart-like shape. To assert their territory, males call loudly and then beat their wings in a rhythmic display.

The Hidden Females

Females, by contrast, are drab brown and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. They usually stay close to the males during the breeding season but are so well-camouflaged that spotting one is a real challenge. Females build their nests in shallow depressions on the ground and are solely responsible for raising the young. It's only natural that the caretakers of the next generation would wear colors that help them stay hidden.

This time, I was fortunate enough to capture a rare shot of a male and female together in the same frame.

Sado's Native Pheasants

Veterinarian Yoshinori Kaneko, who has been an invaluable source during my coverage of the crested ibis, shared some insight.

According to Kaneko, Japan is home to four subspecies of green pheasant. The Northern Green Pheasant is found in northern Honshu, including Sado Island. The other subspecies include the Tokai Green Pheasant in central Honshu and Shikoku, the Kyushu Green Pheasant in southern Honshu and Kyushu, and the Island Green Pheasant, which is native to Tanegashima and surrounding islands.

The Northern Green Pheasant of Sado was once known for its large size and its unstriped tail feathers.

Despite its status as the national bird, pheasants are legally hunted in Japan. Over time, artificial breeding and release programs have been carried out across the country, gradually blurring the differences between subspecies.

The pheasants I photographed showed none of the distinctive features once unique to Sado. Today, there are no recent reports of sightings, and it is possible that Sado's native pheasants have become extinct.

Breeding Season

Naturally shy by temperament, the green pheasant becomes bold during the breeding season. When a male spots a rival encroaching on his territory, a fight can break out in an instant. 

One day, while I was shooting, two pheasants suddenly burst out of a nearby field and clashed midair. Just as quickly as it began, the battle ended, and the birds vanished from sight.

It was likely a contest over a female.

The green pheasant is polygamous. A single male mates with multiple females but plays no role in raising the young.

Females, by contrast, are fiercely maternal. They are known to stay put to protect their nests—even when fire threatens or a lawnmower draws near—often at the cost of their own lives.

Endemic to Japan, the green pheasant can be found widely from Honshu to Kyushu. It is familiar in daily life and appears in ancient texts like the Kojiki and folktales such as Momotaro. The Ornithological Society of Japan designated it the national bird in 1947.

Curiously, despite this honor, hunting pheasants is still permitted.

Sometimes, while looking out the window at home, I catch the eye of a male pheasant patrolling the garden.

He carries himself with great dignity.

From his perspective, I'm probably the intruder.

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• Are Sparrows Disappearing?

Author: Fumie Oyama

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