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

Justification of Red List category
Although confined to Taiwan (China), this species has a relatively large population, thought to number in the tens of thousands. Much of its range is contained by effectively managed protected areas and there is no evidence it is declining. Consequently, it is listed as Least Concern.

Population justification
The global population size of this species has not previously been formally estimated. Brazil (2009) speculated that the population likely numbered 100-10,000 breeding pairs, although even this maximum value may have been overly pessimistic. Bridgman (2002) suggested that Yushan National Park may host 10,000 birds alone based on densities of 58 and 48 pheasants/km² in primary and secondary forest respectively. Even precautionarily assuming only 25% of suitable habitat (estimated by Bridgman [2002] to cover c.6,500 km²), the population likely numbers tens of thousands of mature individuals. The population size is therefore estimated here to number 20,000-100,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
There are no contemporary population trend data for this species. Bridgman (2002) identified declines in encounter rate at one site of secondary forest in the 1990s, in tandem with an increase in poaching events. However, seasonal weather variation at least partially confounds these data and there is no widespread or more recent indication that this species is declining in response to poaching. The only other plausible threat, forest loss, does not appear to be an active one. Between 2000 and 2021, forest cover loss in this species' range declined by <1% (Savini et al. 2021, Global Forest Watch 2022), a value within the range of variation caused by landslides etc. Consequently, and in the absence of other threats thought capable of driving an ongoing decline in this species, its trend is suspected to be stable.

Syrmaticus mikado is found in the mountains of central Taiwan (China).

This species inhabits forest with dense undergrowth and bamboo on steep mountain slopes between 1,800 and 3,300 m and possibly higher.

Historically hunting was a key threat to this species although this is now greatly diminished. Any localised impact of hunting is likely to be very small.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. Most of its range is protected (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Regularly monitor the population at selected sites. Asses the effect of hunting both inside and outside protected areas. Conduct local education programmes to discourage hunting. Enforce the protection afforded to the species by protected areas.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Bridgman, C.L., Keane, A., Mahood, S. & Taylor, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Mikado Pheasant Syrmaticus mikado. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/mikado-pheasant-syrmaticus-mikado on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.