What is the official avian symbol of Japan designated in 1947?
Answer
Green Pheasant (Phasianus versicolor)
The official avian symbol chosen for Japan in 1947 is the Green Pheasant. This choice reflected a national desire to claim a species that is entirely endemic to the main Japanese islands and is easily recognizable. The male of this species is particularly noted for its striking iridescent green plumage, which serves as a sharp contrast to the female's more subdued coloration. This designation cemented the Green Pheasant's status as an emblem belonging wholly to the nation, setting it apart from other culturally significant but broader-ranging birds.

Related Questions
What is the official avian symbol of Japan designated in 1947?Which species is uniquely recognized as Japan's only flightless bird?Where is the highest density of strict endemic species typically found in Japan?Which endemic bird is specifically associated with the subtropical environments of the Ryukyu Islands?Which endemic seabird, belonging to the auk family, breeds primarily on the coasts of Japan?Which bird, historically considered for the national title, has a wider historical range across East Asia?Which endemic species is closely tied to Japan’s specific forest structures, often found in dense lowland forests?What evolutionary pressure typically leads to ground-dwelling birds, like the Okinawa Rail, losing the capability for flight on islands?Which geographical feature is cited as fostering speciation events in Japan's avian population?What striking visual feature characterizes the male Green Pheasant (*Phasianus versicolor*)?