Pavo muticus

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:

Pavo muticus

Species Authority:

Linnaeus, 1766

Common Name/s:

English	–	Green-necked Peafowl, Green Peafowl
Spanish	–	Pavo-real Cuelliverde, Pavo-real Verde

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered A2cd+3cd+4cd ver 3.1

Year Published:

2009

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Bird, J., Butchart, S., Fuller, R. & McGowan, P.

Contributor/s:

Brickle, N., Choudhury, A., Duckworth, W., Eames, J., Evans, T., Meckvichai, W., Pollard, E. & Tran Vy, N.

Justification:
This majestic species has a very rapidly declining and severely fragmented population, primarily owing to intense habitat conversion and high hunting levels. Population trends and further fragmentation are projected to continue, and hence it qualifies as Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Pavo muticus has a large ancestral range, across which it was once common and widespread. It has undergone a serious decline and the only sizeable remaining populations are found in dry forests in Cambodia^5,7, Myanmar¹¹ and west-central Vietnam¹. Outside of this region populations persist in west and north Thailand⁴, the southern portion of Laos, Annam in Vietnam, Yunnan in China and on Java, Indonesia. In India individuals are occasionally encountered in Manipur³, but it may be extinct elsewhere in north-east India and Bangladesh, and is extinct in Malaysia and peninsular Thailand. The population evidently declined dramatically during the 20th Century causing range contraction and local extinctions; currently pressures remain intense and very rapid ongoing declines are suspected based on rates of disturbance and habitat conversion across South East Asia. However, where protected areas are effectively managed, such as Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area, populations are increasing⁸. The development of an effective survey methodology and increased survey effort within its range has led to an increase in records, especially from Cambodia, Thailand⁹ and China, and hence the conservative population estimate of 5,000-10,000 individuals generated in 1995 has been revised to 10,000-20,000 individuals.
Countries:	Native: Cambodia; China; Indonesia; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Myanmar; Thailand; Viet Nam
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Although rare compared with historic numbers, improved survey methodology and increased effort has led to an increase in the reporting rate and thus the population estimate has been revised upwards to reflect this improved knowledge. Nevertheless this remains a coarse estimate and it warrants refinement.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Historically it has been reported to occur in a wide variety of habitats, including a range of primary and secondary, tropical and subtropical, evergreen and deciduous forest-types, mixed coniferous forest, swamp forest, open woodland, forest edge, bamboo, grasslands, savannas, scrub and farmland edge, from sea-level to at least 2,100 m. Contemporary records are mostly limited to dry deciduous forests, with the highest densities occurring near undisturbed rivers and wetlands¹; access to water and human disturbance have a strong influence on the species's abundance and distribution^1,2. It has been hypothesized that the species favours open deciduous forest as it may allow large clutches to be laid to coincide with a seasonal flush of fallen fruit¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Historically it has been reported to occur in a wide variety of habitats, including a range of primary and secondary, tropical and subtropical, evergreen and deciduous forest-types, mixed coniferous forest, swamp forest, open woodland, forest edge, bamboo, grasslands, savannas, scrub and farmland edge, from sea-level to at least 2,100 m. Contemporary records are mostly limited to dry deciduous forests, with the highest densities occurring near undisturbed rivers and wetlands¹; access to water and human disturbance have a strong influence on the species's abundance and distribution^1,2. It has been hypothesized that the species favours open deciduous forest as it may allow large clutches to be laid to coincide with a seasonal flush of fallen fruit¹.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Widespread hunting for meat and feathers, and collection of eggs and chicks, combined with habitat modification and human disturbance, has caused this species's catastrophic decline¹. Fragmentation has isolated many small populations, increasing their susceptibility to local extinction, but selective logging appears to have no adverse effects on peafowl distribution¹. Other threats may include trade in the male's spectacular train feathers. It is regarded as a crop-pest by farmers in China and Thailand⁴, and is consequently poisoned. The spread of human settlement presents the greatest threat; directly through hunting pressure and habitat loss but also indirectly by preventing access to otherwise suitable habitat.

Major Threat(s):

Widespread hunting for meat and feathers, and collection of eggs and chicks, combined with habitat modification and human disturbance, has caused this species's catastrophic decline¹. Fragmentation has isolated many small populations, increasing their susceptibility to local extinction, but selective logging appears to have no adverse effects on peafowl distribution¹. Other threats may include trade in the male's spectacular train feathers. It is regarded as a crop-pest by farmers in China and Thailand⁴, and is consequently poisoned. The spread of human settlement presents the greatest threat; directly through hunting pressure and habitat loss but also indirectly by preventing access to otherwise suitable habitat.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. It is known from many protected areas, including important populations in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia^2,4. These include: Huai Kha Kheng Wildlife Sanctuary (Thailand); Ujung Kulon and Baluran National Parks (Indonesia); Yok Don National Park (Vietnam); Lomphat, Phnom Prich and Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuaries, Chhep and Eastern Mondulkiri Protected Forests and Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area (Cambodia); and Xe Pian National Protected Area (Laos)¹. The core zone of Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area has recently been extended⁶ and increased education and patrolling is likely to improve the prospects for this important population, now known to number several hundred individuals. Extensive public awareness campaigns have been carried out in China and Laos. A captive breeding programme has been initiated in collaboration with the World Pheasant Association as a first step towards reintroducing birds into Penisular Malaysia. The Cambodian Galliformes Conservation Programme through the Forestry Administration and the World Pheasant Association have conducted status surveys at a number of sites within north-west Cambodia. A model was developed to predict peafowl distribution and abundance at the landscape scale based upon distance to and from water and villages¹. Conservation Actions Proposed Continue research into its range, status, habitat requirements and interactions with people to inform management within protected areas. Clarify its status in India. Initiate additional conservation awareness campaigns in Myanmar and Cambodia, while continuing existing ones. Develop landscape-level management recommendations for key areas, including the establishment of new protected areas where appropriate. Promote strict enforcement of regulations relating to hunting and pesticide use within protected areas supporting populations in Indochina. Encourage a total ban on trade in live birds and train feathers in all range countries.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. It is known from many protected areas, including important populations in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia^2,4. These include: Huai Kha Kheng Wildlife Sanctuary (Thailand); Ujung Kulon and Baluran National Parks (Indonesia); Yok Don National Park (Vietnam); Lomphat, Phnom Prich and Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuaries, Chhep and Eastern Mondulkiri Protected Forests and Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area (Cambodia); and Xe Pian National Protected Area (Laos)¹. The core zone of Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area has recently been extended⁶ and increased education and patrolling is likely to improve the prospects for this important population, now known to number several hundred individuals. Extensive public awareness campaigns have been carried out in China and Laos. A captive breeding programme has been initiated in collaboration with the World Pheasant Association as a first step towards reintroducing birds into Penisular Malaysia. The Cambodian Galliformes Conservation Programme through the Forestry Administration and the World Pheasant Association have conducted status surveys at a number of sites within north-west Cambodia. A model was developed to predict peafowl distribution and abundance at the landscape scale based upon distance to and from water and villages¹.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue research into its range, status, habitat requirements and interactions with people to inform management within protected areas. Clarify its status in India. Initiate additional conservation awareness campaigns in Myanmar and Cambodia, while continuing existing ones. Develop landscape-level management recommendations for key areas, including the establishment of new protected areas where appropriate. Promote strict enforcement of regulations relating to hunting and pesticide use within protected areas supporting populations in Indochina. Encourage a total ban on trade in live birds and train feathers in all range countries.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2009. Pavo muticus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 May 2012.
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