Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys

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Chapter 3 Species Accounts The previous chapter presented an overview of the conservation status of all partridges, quails, francolins, snowcocks, guineafowl, and turkeys, and assigned each to a threat category. This chapter expands on this information and provides a detailed justification as to why each threatened species has been placed in that particular category. Species considered at Lower Risk are not treated here, as our aim is to draw attention to the species most in need of conservation action. These species accounts have been developed through an extensive review process involving the BirdLife Partnership, the PQF Specialist Group, the World Pheasant Association, and a worldwide network of ornithologists, co-ordinated by the BirdLife Secretariat. This means that the information presented here has been developed and reviewed by a wide range of active researchers. Each species is treated in a standard format. After detailing the criteria supporting inclusion in each of the three categories of threat and supplying a summary justification, the following information is provided: Range and Population: The full geographic distribution of the species is given, together with any available partial or complete estimates of population numbers or density. If any inferences can be made, or data exist on trends in population numbers and geographic range, these are given here. Facts are always distinguished from inferences. Ecology: Brief details of habitat use, diet, and breeding biology are provided in this section. Threats: The major known threats facing the species are described, together with some indication as to the relative importance of the different types. Conservation: This section outlines whether the species is protected by legal instruments or occurs in existing protected areas. It also gives details of recent conservation research and action that has been carried out to help protect the species. Targets: These are the recommendations supplied by various experts on each species, and endorsed by BirdLife International and the PQF Specialist Group. These targets outline the work most urgently required to help prevent the species from becoming more threatened or even extinct. 3.1 Critically Endangered species Djibouti francolin (Francolinus ochropectus) Critically Endangered A1a,c,d; A2b,c,d An extremely rapid population decline has been observed exceeding 90% over the last 20 years. Assuming that this period is equivalent to no more than three generations, the species is classified as Critically Endangered. It is suspected that this decline could continue into the future (unless proposed conservation targets are urgently addressed), based on hunting levels and a continuing deterioration in habitat quality. Range and population: The Djibouti francolin is endemic to Djibouti, where it is known from only two sites: Forêt du Day (about 14–15km 2 (McGowan et al. 1995) and probably the only viable site) and the nearby Mabla Mountains. Available habitat at Forêt du Day was halved between 1977 and 1983 (del Hoyo et al. 1994) with a corresponding decline in the population from 5,600 to 1,500 birds between 1978 and 1985 (McGowan et al. 1995). The population at Forêt du Day was estimated at about 500–1,000 in 1998 (G. Welch and H. Welch in litt.). The size of the population at Mabla is unknown. Ecology: It inhabits juniper woodland, with records occurring between 700 and 1,500m, but forest at Forêt du Day now only occurs above about 950m (Magin in prep.). It has been found in secondary forest and may occur in degraded woodlands. It feeds on seeds, berries, and termites, and also figs from the forest edge. The breeding season is December to February (del Hoyo et al. 1994). Threats: At Forêt du Day, the forest is in poor condition with a high proportion of trees either dead or dying. The reasons for this are unclear, but a combination of factors, including high levels of grazing by cattle, camels, and goats, acid rain, climate change, and fungal disease have all been proposed as possible causes (Magin in prep.). Other concerns include collection of firewood on lower slopes (Magin in prep.), hunting, and human disturbance (G. Welch and H. Welch in litt.). At Mabla, there are signs of significant human disturbance in remaining stands of forest which have been heavily used for firewood and grazing (Magin in prep.). 26
Conservation: Part of Forêt du Day was apparently declared a national park in 1939, but the designation is no longer valid (Magin in prep.). Projects examining environmental and socio-economic issues in the Forêt du Day area have been carried out by the government and international agencies, but recommended measures have never been implemented, partly due to internal unrest since the early 1990s (Magin in prep.). Targets: • Map suitable habitat and determine home ranges to determine the current population size and distribution. • Conduct ecological studies to determine habitat limits and reproductive ecology. • Develop a long-term integrated management project for the Goda Massif involving socio-economic and agropastoral surveys, and a conservation education programme (also applicable to Mabla, but work there considered unrealistic at present). Himalayan quail (Ophrysia superciliosa) Critically Endangered D1 The threatened status of this enigmatic quail is extremely difficult to judge given the paucity of information. If not extinct, its population is likely to be tiny and inference, therefore, points to its classification as Critically Endangered. Range and population: The Himalayan quail is known only from the western Himalayas in north Uttar Pradesh, northwest India, where about a dozen specimens were collected near Mussooree and Naini Tal prior to 1877 (Blyth 1867, Hume and Marshall 1879–1881). Field observations during the mid-19th century indicate that it may have been relatively common, but it was certainly rare by the late 1800s, potentially indicating a population decline (Comber 1905). The lack of records for over a century suggests that the species may now be extinct, although there have been few well-organised searches (Ali 1977a,b; see Rieger and Walzthöny 1990 and Sankaran 1990 for details on recent searches). The chances that a small population survives in some remote area in the lower or middle Himalayan range, however, seem slim. Ecology: It was recorded in long grass and scrub on steep hillsides, particularly south-facing slope crests, between 1,650m and 2,400m. Generally encountered in covies of 6– 12 birds, it was extremely elusive, never flying except when almost stepped on. It is unclear whether it was sedentary or a short-distance migrant. It was only recorded around Mussoorie and Naini Tal hill stations during the winter months, suggesting it may breed at higher altitudes (Hume and Marshall 1879–1881, Talwar 1995). Threats: The species was last seen 60 years before independence, indicating hunting levels during the colonial period contributed significantly to its decline (Talwar 1995). Widespread land-use changes thereafter, particularly opencast mining for limestone and related disturbance, are other likely contributing factors. Its contact call was apparently heard frequently in November and appears to have aided hunters in locating them (Ali 1977a,b). It has also been hypothesised that habitat changes at lower elevations during the post-Pleistocene glaciation might have pushed subpopulations to suboptimal higher elevations, causing local extinctions (Rieger and Walzthöny 1990). Conservation: There has been a number of official and unofficial attempts to rediscover the species, covering most areas around Mussoorie and Naini Tal. However, none has yet been successful. Targets: • Conduct interviews with local hunters, involving the state Forest Department, about possible locations for the species. • Continue a comprehensive series of field surveys over several seasons based on these interviews, including the vicinity of old sites (Budraj, Benog, Jharipani, and Sherka-danda). • Conduct further surveys in areas supporting cheer pheasant Catreus wallichi, another west Himalayan endemic with similar habitat requirements. • Produce and distribute a poster-mediated information plea about the species within potential areas of occurrence. Gorgeted wood-quail (Odontophorus strophium) Critically Endangered B1+2a,b,c,e This species is Critically Endangered because it has an extremely small range, with recent records from only one location where logging and hunting are probably causing some declines in range and population. However, it may occur more widely and surveys are urgently required to elucidate its status. Range and population: The gorgeted wood-quail occurs on the west slope of the East Andes of Colombia. It was formerly known only from Cundinamarca, where it has not been reported since 1954 (Wege and Long 1995). It has since been recorded in Santander on the Cuchilla del Ramo in 1970, and Guaneta-Alto Rio Fonce Flora and Fauna Sanctuary from 1979 onwards. Ecology: It inhabits humid subtropical and temperate forests dominated by oak and laurel. It is only known to 27
Page 1 and 2: Status Survey and Conservation Acti
Page 3 and 4: The designation of geographical ent
Page 5 and 6: Project 5. Assessing the conservati
Page 7 and 8: Acknowledgements This Action Plan i
Page 9 and 10: Chapter 1 The Conservation of Partr
Page 11 and 12: guineafowl held in Pakistan (1992)
Page 13 and 14: eductions in numbers or even extirp
Page 15 and 16: The Species Survival Commission of
Page 17 and 18: this work could be developed over t
Page 19 and 20: Georgia and northern Florida in the
Page 21 and 22: Box 1.1. The Convention on Biologic
Page 23 and 24: Chapter 2 Summary of the Conservati
Page 25 and 26: 2.2 Endangered species The followin
Page 27 and 28: Box 2.4 Criteria for Vulnerable (VU
Page 29 and 30: The following 121 species are consi
Page 31 and 32: Species Distribution Justification
Page 33: Species Distribution Justification
Page 37 and 38: • Extend the Virunga National Par
Page 39 and 40: population is estimated at 100-1,00
Page 41 and 42: Chongoroi was recommended in the ea
Page 43 and 44: occupancy has been estimated at 160
Page 45 and 46: should have lessened the pressure o
Page 47 and 48: Dark-backed wood-quail (Odontophoru
Page 49 and 50: Chapter 4 Five-year Plan of Action
Page 51 and 52: Resources: Assuming that most advic
Page 53 and 54: Justification: There has been a con
Page 55 and 56: ace merlini of the chestnut-necklac
Page 57 and 58: populations and quality of remainin
Page 59 and 60: al. 1999), and there is now a need
Page 61 and 62: References Adams, J. 1989. Bhutan:
Page 63 and 64: Hennache, A., Randi, E., and Lucchi
Page 65 and 66: Robson, C.R., Eames, J.C., Nguyên
Page 67 and 68: Appendix 1 List of Contacts World P

Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys

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