Syrmaticus humiae

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	GALLIFORMES	PHASIANIDAE

Scientific Name:

Syrmaticus humiae

Species Authority:

(Hume, 1881)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Hume's Bar-tailed Pheasant, Hume's Pheasant, Mrs. Hume's Pheasant
Spanish	–	Faisán de Hume

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Mahood, S., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Lianxian, H., Garson, P., Iamsiri, A., Choudhury, A., Gale, G., Zaw, U., Eames, J.

Justification:
This species is classified as Near Threatened because recent information suggests that it is resilient to exploitation and habitat degradation. Although it has a reasonably small and fragmented population, its status in Myanmar has been recently clarified, where it is thought to be secure.

History:

2005	–	Near Threatened
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Syrmaticus humiae occurs from Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland¹ in north-east India (c. 4,000 individuals²) through west, north and east Myanmar (c. 6,000 individuals⁶), where it has been described as common in Bwe Pa, Chin State⁴, to Yunnan and Guangxi in south China (population unknown but thought to number in the thousands), and north-west Thailand^7,10 (200-500 individuals). In India, it appears to be rare, although a recent survey in the north-east confirmed 20 new sites, and 24 others remain unconfirmed². In Myanmar, there is no evidence of any recent declines, and the species may have undergone a range extension⁴. In China, populations are apparently relatively stable inside protected areas, although remaining rare and difficult to see⁵, but declining rapidly elsewhere. In Thailand the population is probably declining slowly.
Countries:	Native: China; India; Myanmar; Thailand
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	G. Gale in litt. (2005)
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits open, dry, subtropical evergreen (mainly oak), coniferous (chiefly pine) or mixed conifer-broadleaf forests on steep, often rocky hillsides interrupted by scrub and grassy clearings. It appears to favour broken or successional habitats, with adjacent patches of dense forest, and fire may play an important role⁸. Roosts are often located along ridges, and in other relatively open areas⁷. The species has been observed to feed on oak nuts and termites⁷.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits open, dry, subtropical evergreen (mainly oak), coniferous (chiefly pine) or mixed conifer-broadleaf forests on steep, often rocky hillsides interrupted by scrub and grassy clearings. It appears to favour broken or successional habitats, with adjacent patches of dense forest, and fire may play an important role⁸. Roosts are often located along ridges, and in other relatively open areas⁷. The species has been observed to feed on oak nuts and termites⁷.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The ease with which it can be trapped has been a major cause of its continuing decline across much of its range, including populations within protected areas. However, the persistence of the species in northern India and in Thailand suggests that it is resilient in the face of heavy exploitation^1,9,10. Extensive shifting cultivation and uncontrolled annual burning has resulted in substantial fragmentation and loss of suitable habitat in Myanmar, China and India. In north Thailand, it has suffered from agricultural intensification and habitat fragmentation resulting from development projects, and reforestation of large areas with dense conifer plantations may also pose a threat.

Major Threat(s):

The ease with which it can be trapped has been a major cause of its continuing decline across much of its range, including populations within protected areas. However, the persistence of the species in northern India and in Thailand suggests that it is resilient in the face of heavy exploitation^1,9,10. Extensive shifting cultivation and uncontrolled annual burning has resulted in substantial fragmentation and loss of suitable habitat in Myanmar, China and India. In north Thailand, it has suffered from agricultural intensification and habitat fragmentation resulting from development projects, and reforestation of large areas with dense conifer plantations may also pose a threat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix I. The species is legally protected in India, Thailand, Myanmar and China. Populations persist in several protected areas, including: Tongbiguan, Ailaoshan and Wuliangshan Nature Reserves (China); Murlen and Blue Mountain National Parks, Lengteng and Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuarys (India); and Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui⁷ and Mae Fang National Parks³ and Doi Chang Dao and Mae Lao Mae Sae Wildlife Sanctuaries⁷ (Thailand). A community-based conservation project is planned for one site in Thailand beginning in 2007. Conservation Actions Proposed Survey sites in east Yunnan (China), Myanmar and the border states of north-east India for additional populations. Conduct research into its habitat use and tolerance of habitat degradation. Campaign for improved protected status for sites supporting populations, particularly in north-west Thailand, Myanmar and north-east India. Promote stricter control over hunting and habitat encroachment in protected areas supporting significant populations.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. The species is legally protected in India, Thailand, Myanmar and China. Populations persist in several protected areas, including: Tongbiguan, Ailaoshan and Wuliangshan Nature Reserves (China); Murlen and Blue Mountain National Parks, Lengteng and Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuarys (India); and Doi Inthanon, Doi Suthep-Pui⁷ and Mae Fang National Parks³ and Doi Chang Dao and Mae Lao Mae Sae Wildlife Sanctuaries⁷ (Thailand). A community-based conservation project is planned for one site in Thailand beginning in 2007.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey sites in east Yunnan (China), Myanmar and the border states of north-east India for additional populations. Conduct research into its habitat use and tolerance of habitat degradation. Campaign for improved protected status for sites supporting populations, particularly in north-west Thailand, Myanmar and north-east India. Promote stricter control over hunting and habitat encroachment in protected areas supporting significant populations.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Syrmaticus humiae. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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