9 thoughts on “Sclater’s Monal (Lophophorus sclateri)”
In view of rather small global range and lack of sufficient field data it should not be downgraded to LC. Our experience from Arunachal Pradesh indicates that it does not occur in all the areas of its range but in select areas. What are its select areas are subject of field research, probably not enough has been done. Then there is opportunistic poaching pressure.
Suitable habitat does not guarantee the occurrence of this species considering its dispersal ability across the deep valleys lies in between the high mountains in this area. The global population number is estimated too optimistically. If roads and other infrastructures are continued to grow in this area, its habitat will become more fragmented. I would suggest remain Vu for this species.
Given the remoteness of a vast swath of its range, especially around disputed border areas, meaning vast infrastructure projects are unlikely, LC would seem correct in my opinion. Undoubtably under heavy hunting pressure where there is habitation and roads but this must account for a tiny % of its range.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now temporarily closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 6 February 2023. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 6 February 2023, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2023 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion. Although it is acknowledged that hunting and some degree of habitat loss/degradations is ongoing, and likely impacting this species, these circumstances apply only locally. In the vast majority of its range, far from human habitation/impact, there are no acting threats for this species. Moreover, even close to villages/along roads, the species is seen regularly, suggesting that hunting is not an insidious threat. Overall, the global extinction risk for this species is concluded to be very low. Given the uncertainties expressed, the population size field has been changed to ‘Unknown’.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 12 February 2023, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
I do not agree with the preliminary proposal. In my opinion the burden of proof must lie with the person(s) suggesting a category change and in absence of any such evidence there is no reason to change the category. As rightly mentioned in the initial discussions, extent of occupancy does not guarantee occupancy and in my opinion the area occupied by this species is much less than the map depicts which any way is inaccurate.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 20 February 2023.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Sclater’s Monal is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2023.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
In view of rather small global range and lack of sufficient field data it should not be downgraded to LC. Our experience from Arunachal Pradesh indicates that it does not occur in all the areas of its range but in select areas. What are its select areas are subject of field research, probably not enough has been done. Then there is opportunistic poaching pressure.
Suitable habitat does not guarantee the occurrence of this species considering its dispersal ability across the deep valleys lies in between the high mountains in this area. The global population number is estimated too optimistically. If roads and other infrastructures are continued to grow in this area, its habitat will become more fragmented. I would suggest remain Vu for this species.
Owing to lack of field information on its population and persistence of hunting pressure, it may be premature to downlist the species.
Given the remoteness of a vast swath of its range, especially around disputed border areas, meaning vast infrastructure projects are unlikely, LC would seem correct in my opinion. Undoubtably under heavy hunting pressure where there is habitation and roads but this must account for a tiny % of its range.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now temporarily closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 6 February 2023. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 6 February 2023, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2023 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion. Although it is acknowledged that hunting and some degree of habitat loss/degradations is ongoing, and likely impacting this species, these circumstances apply only locally. In the vast majority of its range, far from human habitation/impact, there are no acting threats for this species. Moreover, even close to villages/along roads, the species is seen regularly, suggesting that hunting is not an insidious threat. Overall, the global extinction risk for this species is concluded to be very low. Given the uncertainties expressed, the population size field has been changed to ‘Unknown’.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 12 February 2023, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
I do not agree with the preliminary proposal. In my opinion the burden of proof must lie with the person(s) suggesting a category change and in absence of any such evidence there is no reason to change the category. As rightly mentioned in the initial discussions, extent of occupancy does not guarantee occupancy and in my opinion the area occupied by this species is much less than the map depicts which any way is inaccurate.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 20 February 2023.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Sclater’s Monal is recommended to be listed as Least Concern.
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2023.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2023 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in December 2023, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.