8 thoughts on “Malay Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron malacense): Revise global status?”
The range map shown might show area in which the species historically occupied, but current evidence, despite large numbers of observers, such it’s a severely fragmented species now, outside of Taman Negara National Park.
Even within the tourist zones of TNNP, sightings are considerably fewer than 15-20 years ago, possibly due to increased tourism causing disturbance (for example the Swamp Loop trail would have 3+ calling birds on seemingly every visit pre-2010, whereas in recent years I’ve sighted no wild birds along this trail). Note that ebird sightings in the area last five years are likely all from the released birds, of which there were at least 3 for the past years (with metal rings – see all the header ebird photos for example!). Likewise ebird records from Krau, post-2018 are also released birds (again, ebird photos show ringed birds).
Looking at ebird records since 2017, the only sight records are from TNNP. Several erroneous records from the highlands east of Kuala Lumpur would refer to Mountain Peacock Pheasant, and a single record from Johor the obs state ‘not 100% sure’, leaving only vocal records from Pedu Lake as the remaining spot.
Within TNNP hunting is likely a issue given that local tribes are allowed to hunt the species.
A species in much trouble, and Endangered I thoroughly recommended.
The only evidence I know on survival in small forest fragments is negative – the species failed to survive on islands created by the inundation of Kenyir Dam post-1984. The islands looked at ranged from about 100 down to 10 hectares. Of course these new islands were former hilltops, therefore not ideal habitat in the first place.
Even if the species is not specifically targeted by hunters, leg snares are commonly (and illegally) used by bored labourers in logging and related industries, and these indiscriminately catch P. malacense as well as other species being considered in the Red List review.
I have long expected the uplisting of this species, so I strongly support this proposal. In Thailand where it is likely already extinct in the wild, its status has been assessed by the BCST Records Committee as nationally Critically Endangered (https://www.bcst.or.th/report-archives/).
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 21 February 2022. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’s Red List status on this page on 21 February 2022, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2022.1 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 27 February 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
The species appeared to be locally common in the ‘mainland’ fringes of Lake Kenyir when i surveyed it in 2007/2008, with a maximum count of 3-4 calling birds in a morning. These must be birds that moved up the river valleys when flooding occured, but not on the isolated islands. Some of these valleys are now protected in the Cenena Lawit and Kenyir state parks recently established, and which are being monitored by local NGOs. Would be interesting to assess future camera trap data (for big cats) to see the occurrence of the species here in recent years.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 7 March 2022.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Malay Peacock-pheasant is recommended to be listed as Endangered under Criteria A2cd+3cd+4cd.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2022.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
The range map shown might show area in which the species historically occupied, but current evidence, despite large numbers of observers, such it’s a severely fragmented species now, outside of Taman Negara National Park.
Even within the tourist zones of TNNP, sightings are considerably fewer than 15-20 years ago, possibly due to increased tourism causing disturbance (for example the Swamp Loop trail would have 3+ calling birds on seemingly every visit pre-2010, whereas in recent years I’ve sighted no wild birds along this trail). Note that ebird sightings in the area last five years are likely all from the released birds, of which there were at least 3 for the past years (with metal rings – see all the header ebird photos for example!). Likewise ebird records from Krau, post-2018 are also released birds (again, ebird photos show ringed birds).
Looking at ebird records since 2017, the only sight records are from TNNP. Several erroneous records from the highlands east of Kuala Lumpur would refer to Mountain Peacock Pheasant, and a single record from Johor the obs state ‘not 100% sure’, leaving only vocal records from Pedu Lake as the remaining spot.
Within TNNP hunting is likely a issue given that local tribes are allowed to hunt the species.
A species in much trouble, and Endangered I thoroughly recommended.
The only evidence I know on survival in small forest fragments is negative – the species failed to survive on islands created by the inundation of Kenyir Dam post-1984. The islands looked at ranged from about 100 down to 10 hectares. Of course these new islands were former hilltops, therefore not ideal habitat in the first place.
Even if the species is not specifically targeted by hunters, leg snares are commonly (and illegally) used by bored labourers in logging and related industries, and these indiscriminately catch P. malacense as well as other species being considered in the Red List review.
I have long expected the uplisting of this species, so I strongly support this proposal. In Thailand where it is likely already extinct in the wild, its status has been assessed by the BCST Records Committee as nationally Critically Endangered (https://www.bcst.or.th/report-archives/).
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 21 February 2022. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’s Red List status on this page on 21 February 2022, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2022.1 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 27 February 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
The species appeared to be locally common in the ‘mainland’ fringes of Lake Kenyir when i surveyed it in 2007/2008, with a maximum count of 3-4 calling birds in a morning. These must be birds that moved up the river valleys when flooding occured, but not on the isolated islands. Some of these valleys are now protected in the Cenena Lawit and Kenyir state parks recently established, and which are being monitored by local NGOs. Would be interesting to assess future camera trap data (for big cats) to see the occurrence of the species here in recent years.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 7 March 2022.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Malay Peacock-pheasant is recommended to be listed as Endangered under Criteria A2cd+3cd+4cd.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2022.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.