6 thoughts on “Sichuan Partridge (Arborophila rufipectus)”
Worth noting the recording referred to from eBird 2024: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/613624509 does not sound like a Sichuan Partridge, in my opinion, unless there is further evidence pointing to it being found in the Loncanggou area.
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 until 3 May 2024. We will now analyse and interpret all information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 3 May 2024, when discussions will re-open.
We thank J. Eaton for the above comment and have now revised the range map accordingly. This reduces the area of available habitat (forest at the appropriate elevation) to 2,000-2,500 and accordingly based on published densities it is still suspected that the population exceeds 2,500 mature individuals (but very probably fewer than 10,000). The preliminary proposal for the 2024 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 13 May 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
The Sichuan Partridge (Arborophila rufipectus) is a rare bird endemic to the mountainous forests of Southwest China. With a small population and restricted distribution, it has been recognized as an globally endangered species by the IUCN. To assess the current state of this species, we conducted a systematic survey on population distribution, number, and main threatening factors of the Sichuan Partridge during 2018-2019. The results showed that: 1) the total suitable habitat area of Sichuan Partridge was about 6018.3 km2, 2) the total average density of Sichuan Partridge was 0.3176 ± 0.0538 ♂/km2, and 3) Habitat fragmentation and illegal hunting were the main threats to Sichuan Partridge population.
The suitable habitat area of this species increased from 4978.8 km2 in 2000 to 6018.3 km2 in 2017, which might be attributed to China’s Natural Forest Protection Project since 1998 and the Conversion of Cropland to Forest Program since 1999. However, its population density remains extremely low. Here, it is worth noting that the species experiences significant habitat fragmentation, with its habitat being composed of 10 actual and 36 potential patches. Due to habitat fragmentation and poaching, some local subpopulations of the species are at risk of extinction, such as those in the Huanglianshan Forest Farm and Xining Forest Farm located in the Liangshan Mountains of Sichuan Province. In 2021, the Chinese government listed the Sichuan Partridge as an endangered wildlife species in urgent need of rescue and conservation efforts.
Having been engaged in the ecological research of the Sichuan Partridge for over a decade, I am currently collaborating with Mr. Dai Bo (The pioneer of Sichuan Partridge conservation research in China), Mr. Zhang Zhengwang (Professor of Beijing Normal University, and President of the World Pheasant Association) and Mr. Dowell (Simon Dowell, Conservation Science & Policy Director of Chester Zoo) on habitat restoration efforts for this species. Given the severe threats it faces, we recommend maintaining its endangered status of this species and continuing to enhance protection measures for its habitat and populations.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for more detailed information about the Sichuan Partridge (Fu, Yiqiang, Professor of Sichuan Normal University, China. Email: fyq512@126.com). Thank you very much for your attention.
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 available information, posting a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 20 May 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Sichuan Partridge is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2024.2 GTB Forum process. The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Worth noting the recording referred to from eBird 2024: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/613624509 does not sound like a Sichuan Partridge, in my opinion, unless there is further evidence pointing to it being found in the Loncanggou area.
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 until 3 May 2024. We will now analyse and interpret all information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 3 May 2024, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
We thank J. Eaton for the above comment and have now revised the range map accordingly. This reduces the area of available habitat (forest at the appropriate elevation) to 2,000-2,500 and accordingly based on published densities it is still suspected that the population exceeds 2,500 mature individuals (but very probably fewer than 10,000). The preliminary proposal for the 2024 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 13 May 2024, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
The Sichuan Partridge (Arborophila rufipectus) is a rare bird endemic to the mountainous forests of Southwest China. With a small population and restricted distribution, it has been recognized as an globally endangered species by the IUCN. To assess the current state of this species, we conducted a systematic survey on population distribution, number, and main threatening factors of the Sichuan Partridge during 2018-2019. The results showed that: 1) the total suitable habitat area of Sichuan Partridge was about 6018.3 km2, 2) the total average density of Sichuan Partridge was 0.3176 ± 0.0538 ♂/km2, and 3) Habitat fragmentation and illegal hunting were the main threats to Sichuan Partridge population.
The suitable habitat area of this species increased from 4978.8 km2 in 2000 to 6018.3 km2 in 2017, which might be attributed to China’s Natural Forest Protection Project since 1998 and the Conversion of Cropland to Forest Program since 1999. However, its population density remains extremely low. Here, it is worth noting that the species experiences significant habitat fragmentation, with its habitat being composed of 10 actual and 36 potential patches. Due to habitat fragmentation and poaching, some local subpopulations of the species are at risk of extinction, such as those in the Huanglianshan Forest Farm and Xining Forest Farm located in the Liangshan Mountains of Sichuan Province. In 2021, the Chinese government listed the Sichuan Partridge as an endangered wildlife species in urgent need of rescue and conservation efforts.
Having been engaged in the ecological research of the Sichuan Partridge for over a decade, I am currently collaborating with Mr. Dai Bo (The pioneer of Sichuan Partridge conservation research in China), Mr. Zhang Zhengwang (Professor of Beijing Normal University, and President of the World Pheasant Association) and Mr. Dowell (Simon Dowell, Conservation Science & Policy Director of Chester Zoo) on habitat restoration efforts for this species. Given the severe threats it faces, we recommend maintaining its endangered status of this species and continuing to enhance protection measures for its habitat and populations.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for more detailed information about the Sichuan Partridge (Fu, Yiqiang, Professor of Sichuan Normal University, China. Email: fyq512@126.com). Thank you very much for your attention.
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 available information, posting a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 20 May 2024.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Sichuan Partridge is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2024.2 GTB Forum process. The final 2024 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in October 2024, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.