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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over three generations). The population size is unknown, but is not suspected to be sufficiently small to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The population has not been accurately quantified although a broad stroke modelling exercise identified c.80,000 km² of suitable habitat (Bagaria et al. 2021), much of which is remote and beyond the reach of direct human impact. Although not estimated therefore, the population is likely to exceed 10,000 mature individuals.

Trend justification
This species is suspected to be declining slowly. Habitat loss and hunting were previously considered major threats to this species (BirdLife International 2001) but the vast majority of this species' range is remote and inaccessible such that these threats are probably highly localised and unlikely to be causing notable reductions in the global population size. Recent bioclimatic and species distribution modelling (Bagaria et al. 2021) suggested the species may lose c.90% of its habitat by 2070 according to RCP 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. However, the input data for the present species were sparse and the model therefore relied on species clustering (i.e. the data are not species-specific). Consequently, the species is precautionarily suspected of experiencing ongoing declines because of climate change impacts, although the rate is not estimated.

Lophophorus sclateri is endemic to the eastern Himalaya, from Arunachal Pradesh, India, east through northern Myanmar and south-eastern Tibet to western Yunnan, China.

It inhabits alpine meadows, subalpine rhododendron scrub and rocky precipitous slopes from 3,000-4,200 m, occurring down to the edge of oak-rhododendron (S. Kumar in litt. 2004) and coniferous forest with a bamboo understorey, azalea forest, and areas of juniper and cotoneaster, descending to temperate forest at 2,000-3,000 m in October (Kumar and Singh 2004). Where its range overlaps with L. impejanus, it generally occurs at higher altitudes although some local reports have described them occurring together (S. Kumar in litt. 2004). It is solitary during the breeding season (spring), but gregarious in winter. It feeds on roots, tubers, seeds, bark and leaf parts (Kumar and Singh 2004).

Hunting and habitat loss were historically considered the species' main threats, with observations from Mishmi Hills that the former had causes substantial populations declines. However, the majority of the species' range is in remote and inaccessible places and this threat can only be localised. Climate change is now considered the greatest threat to this montane species, although it requires confirmation that the species is being directly impacted.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. It is legally protected in India (A. Rahmani in litt. 2012) and occurs in numerous protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys in Yunnan, south-east Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh to determine its population status and range. Carry out detailed studies to assess its habitat preferences and principal threats. Monitor poaching. Survey wildlife markets throughout its range to determine the scale and socioeconomic importance of hunting. Assess the contribution of the protected area network to its conservation and develop appropriate management/policy recommendations. Appoint security personnel to control poaching in India.

63-68 cm. Typical monal with unusual short, curly crown feathers and chestnut tail with white terminal band. Similar spp. Curly crown feathers, white back to uppertail-coverts and chestnut tail with white terminal band of the male are diagnostic (tail all white in recently discovered population in Arunachal Pradesh, India). Female differs from Himalayan Monal L. impejanus by less extensively white throat, lack of pale streaks on underparts, broader white tail tip, paler back to uppertail-coverts and absent curly crown feathers. Juvenile (both sexes) initially like female but darker above, with buff streaks.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Davidson, P., Eames, J.C., Keane, A., Khwaja, N., Kumar, S., Lianxian, H., Rahmani, A., Rimlinger, D., Taylor, J., Zaw, U.K.M. & Zhang, Z.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sclater's Monal Lophophorus sclateri. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sclaters-monal-lophophorus-sclateri on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.