Pheasants: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan ... - IUCN

Taxonomy: The crested argus is represented by two
subspecies that occupy widely separated geographical
ranges. These two forms are morphologically distinct
(Delacour 1977), and their specific taxonomic status and
validity requires assessment using other criteria (e.g. DNA
sequence comparisons).
Range and population: The crested argus is endemic to
Southeast Asia. The nominate subspecies ocellata occurs
along the Annamite Mountain chain in central and southern
Vietnam and neighbouring eastern Laos (Duckworth et al.
1999), south to the Da Lat Plateau in southern Vietnam
(Robson et al. 1993b). The subspecies nigrescens is restricted
to seven sites within or very close to Taman Negara in
central Peninsular Malaysia (Mamat and Yasak 1998).
Although its range and habitat have been reduced and
fragmented in Laos and Vietnam, and a substantial
population decline has occurred there, the nominate
subspecies is still relatively widespread and locally common
(Robson et al. 1991, Tobias et al. 1998, Duckworth et al.
1999).
Ecology: In Laos and Vietnam, it is resident in primary,
logged, and secondary evergreen forest from sea-level up
to 1,500m, and from 1,700m–1,900m on the Da Lat Plateau
(Robson et al. 1991, 1993b). It occurs at highest densities
in moist primary forest in lowlands, up to about 900m
(Tobias 1997, Thewlis et al. 1998, Duckworth et al. 1999).
In Malaysia, it inhabits tall hill dipterocarp/lower montane
transitional forest, generally from about 800–1,100m
(Davison 1977, 1978b, 1979).
Threats: The Indochinese population is probably most at
risk from continuing forest loss and degradation, both
within and outside protected areas. The greatest problems
stem from commercial logging, various forms of illegal
timber extraction, clearance for agricultural plantations
and shifting cultivation (Nguyen Cu and Eames 1993,
Robson et al. 1991, Lambert et al. 1994), and road building
(Tobias 1997, Tobias et al. 1998). Disturbance and snaring
(primarily for food) at display arenas pose more significant
threats than deforestation in some areas (Lambert et al.
1994, Timmins and Evans 1996, Thewlis et al. 1998,
Duckworth et al. 1999). The Malaysian population is less
threatened, being almost entirely encompassed within
Taman Negara where the main threat is limited habitat
loss on the periphery of the park (e.g., Gunung Rabung)
(P.J.K. McGowan in litt.).
Conservation: CITES Appendix I. It occurs in numerous
protected areas, including Bach Ma National Park, at least
10 nature reserves in Vietnam, and at least two designated
and two proposed national biodiversity conservation areas
in Laos. The Malaysian population’s range falls almost
entirely within Taman Negara National Park.
Targets:
• Survey suitable habitat in Laos and Vietnam to clarify
its current distribution and assess relative abundance in
relation to habitat degradation.
• Monitor the Malaysian population and selected
populations in Laos and Vietnam regularly.
• Promote strict enforcement of hunting regulations in
protected areas supporting populations in Indochina, in
combination with locally targeted conservation awareness
initiatives.
• Conduct taxonomic research into the relationship between
the Malaysian and Indochinese populations.
Congo peafowl
(Afropavo congensis)
Vulnerable C2a
This species is assumed to have a small population. Recent
surveys suggest that large areas within its range are
unoccupied implying that the population is severely
fragmented. Hunting and habitat loss continue unabated
and the population is, therefore, inferred to be declining.
These circumstances lead to its classification as Vulnerable.
Taxonomy: This is the only pheasant species native to
Africa.
Range and population: The Congo peafowl occurs in the
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Research
in 1993–95 confirmed its presence in 13 of the 20 survey
areas, though it did not find the species abundant in any.
This work also identified new sites that significantly extend
the species’ range northeast into the Ituri Forest (Hart
and Upoki 1997). Subsequently, it was also located north
of the Lomako River and along the Yekokora River
(Dupain and van Krunkelsven 1996), as well as further
south between the Lukenie and Sankuru Rivers
(Thompson 1996). Forest between the Lomami and Congo
Rivers may also hold significant concentrations, but
information from this area remains limited (Hart and
Upoki 1997).
Ecology: It occurs in many different forest types, but is
often associated with slopes between watersheds with
shallow soils supporting dry forest and an open
understorey. Its sparse and irregular distribution may
correspond, in part, to the limited availability of this
habitat type. It does not appear to have a specialised diet,
and has been recorded eating fruit from common tree
species throughout the region (Hart and Upoki 1997), as
well as aquatic insects and termites. The breeding
season may depend on local rainfall conditions (McGowan
1994a).
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