The Ecology and Situation of The Hainan Subspecies of Silver Pheasant

The authors studied the ecology of Silver Pheasant mainly by the method of observing at fixed spots with baits in Ba Wang Ling Nature Reserve on Hainan Island during the middle of 1986 through the end of 1993,they found that the existence of the Hainan subspecies of Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera whiteheadi) was facing dangerous threatening.The number of individuals of the colonies of Hainan Silver Pheasant was low.1-6 in general,averaged 3.27±1.49 on 48 colony-time;chicks in each colony were fairly few,commonly 1-6 chicks carried by their parents,averaging 2.33±1.33 on 18 colony-time.Maximum 6 chicks appeared only once;loss of chicks was very severe so that only few of them became adults.At 6 observing spots-time,that have complete annual records,there were 12 chicks,in the second year there were only 5 left,rate of loss was 58.3%;loss of parent Pheasants was very severe so that we saw very rare phenomena,I.e.pure chick groups appeared 5 out 17 flocks;the rate of production was quite low,the natality was only 77.5%;even the density of population in the core of reserves was quite low and was rapidly decrease as well.In 1987 it was 20.2/km2,while it became 12.0/km2 in 1992.The main cause of its loss was endanger from their natural enemies and human.The present area of remaining foreste where Silver Pheasants still live is only 740 km2 on the whole Island.The optimist estimate of the number of Silver Pheasant is less than 8 800.The existence of Hainan subspecies of Silver Pheasant has become endangered from vulnerable in class.Effective protection must be made promptly.