• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This attractive pheasant species is endemic to southern Indochina where it is threatened by the rapid conversion of suitable habitat (lowland forest) to agriculture, as well as compounding impacts of hunting, especially snaring. Declines are suspected to have exceeded 30% over the last 19 years (three generations) and the population may now number fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. Accordingly, it is listed as Vulnerable.

Population justification
The only species-specific density for this species is calculated by Nguyen et al. (2018) who, at Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam, estimated 0.66-8.75 (pooled value: 4.33) calling males/km² depending on forest type. Savini et al. (2021) estimated that the total area of forest patches >40 km² in its range in 2018 totalled 13,300 km² however it bears mention that there are few records from the northern limits of their deduced suitable range. To 2021, a further reduction to c.12,600 km² is suspected to have occurred (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Densities at Cat Tien National Park may reasonably be considered among the highest in its range given the (admittedly not total) protection from hunting its designation affords it (Nguyen et al. 2018). Assuming half the pooled mean density (4.33 calling males/km²) from Cat Tien is appropriate for a global estimation, and that occupancy is c.50%, the maximum population size is considered to be 13,500 calling males (crudely doubled to 27,000 mature individuals). However, much of habitat in this species' range lies within a matrix of human dominated/agricultural areas (Nguyen et al. 2018) thus the population may be much smaller. Considering that the average density across its range may only be a quarter of that recorded at Cat Tien and that only 20% of suitable habitat may now be occupied, the minimum population size is set at 2,700 calling males, or c.5,400 mature individuals. The population is therefore estimated to number 5,400-27,000 mature individuals, with a best estimate of 7,500-15,000.

Trend justification
The population is inferred to be declining due to forest loss and compounding hunting pressures. Recent data indicate that forest loss in this species' range has been quite rapid. Including only patches >40 km² in their analysis, Savini et al. (2021) estimated a c.27.5% contraction in suitable habitat between 2000 and 2018, while Global Forest Watch (2022) indicate similar losses of c.24-27% forest loss over three generations (18.75 years; Bird et al. 2020) between 2002 and 2021. Although this species occasionally ventures into secondary forest, the majority of forest loss in this region has amounted to total clearance. Consequently, this is considered to have caused equivalent reductions in population size while also increasing the accessibility to hunters of the remaining evergreen forest. Snaring and hunting are commonplace in this region, even in protected areas; for example in Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia, rangers removed an average of 942 snares per year between 2010 and 2018 (Gray et al. 2021). Consequently, declines over the last three generations are suspected to have exceeded 30%. Future rates of decline are suspected to be slower (20-29%) due to a greater proportion of remaining habitat lying in protected areas; however, this should be closely monitored.

Polyplectron germaini is endemic to southern Indochina, where it is known only from south Annam and Cochinchina, Viet Nam, and southern and eastern Mondulkiri province and Ratanakiri province, Cambodia (N. Brickle in litt. 2004). The largest known populations are found in tracts of forest retained within protected areas (J. Eames in litt. 2004, N. Tran Vy in litt. 2004, T. Evans in litt. 2005).

It appears to occupy a range of forest types from montane, dipterocarp-dominated evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, including logged secondary forest and thorny bamboo brakes (N. Brickle in litt. 2004). It is found in both damp and dry areas, from sea-level up to at least 1,500 m.

The principal threats to this species are habitat loss and hunting. Savini et al. (2021) estimated a c.27.5% contraction in suitable habitat between 2000 and 2018, while Global Forest Watch (2022) indicate similar losses of c.24-27% forest loss over three generations (18.75 years; Bird et al. 2020). Although an increasing percentage of the species' range occurs in protected areas, a shortage of staff and resources often results in ineffective control of illegal activities, especially hunting, disturbance and small-scale logging. The impact of hunting has not been quantified but the scale of snaring in Indochina is such that it is assumed to be causing declines. Similarly illegal trade (both domestic and international) is considered a threat (S. Bruslund in litt. 2023).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Populations survive in several protected areas in both Viet Nam and Cambodia (Savini et al. 2021, UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023). Within Europe, 32 males, 33 females and 3 unsexed young were reported in 2021 among World Pheasant Association members across seven countries (J. Corder in litt. 2022); there is, however, no known coordinated conservation breeding programme for these species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
There is an urgent need to more accurately quantify the species' population size as well as its occurrence in smaller forest fragments. Enshrining all suitable habitat in protected areas is critical as well as more robust enforcement of shooting and snaring.

Male 56-60 cm, female 48 cm. Dark peacock-pheasant. Similar spp. Male smaller and darker than Grey Peacock-pheasant P. bicalcaratum with finer, denser, pale markings and darker, more greenish-blue ocelli (often appear darker purple). Much darker head and neck with more distinct pale bars, dull blood-red facial skin, no crest and white restricted to upper throat. Female distinctly darker and more uniform overall than P. bicalcaratum, with smaller, rather pointed, and much more defined ocelli on upperside. Lacks obvious pale scaling above, head more distinctly pale barred or speckled, with white restricted to upper throat.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Brickle, N., Bruslund, S., Corder, J., Davidson, G., Eames, J.C., Evans, T, & Tran Vy, N.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Germain's Peacock-Pheasant Polyplectron germaini. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/germains-peacock-pheasant-polyplectron-germaini on 22/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/11/2024.