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

Justification of Red List category
This jay has a moderately small population in a single subpopulation that is suspected to be declining. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
Based on surveys at two sites, Jing et al. (2011) found that P. internigrans occurred at densities of 0.6-1.04 birds/km², with suggestion that the lower bound of this figure was the most accurate based on the methodology used. This corroborates other reports of the species being rare (Sun et al. 2001). Lu et al. (2012) created a predictive niche-distribution model and estimated the area of suitable habitat in the species' range to be c.60,000 km², however much of this is fragmented and so tentatively only 50% of suitable habitat is thought to be occupied. Combining these figures, the population size of P. internigrans is estimated at 18,000-31,200 individuals, or 12,000-20,500 mature individuals, with a best estimate of c.12,000-15,000 (accepting the lowest density and the suspicion that the population is suspected to have declined since Lu et al. [2012]).

Trend justification
This species is suspected to be declining at a slow rate, owing to forest loss and fragmentation within its range. Although the former has slowed significantly in the last two decades, the effect of fragmentation is still largely unknown with suggestion that it is impacting breeding productivity and may be causing declines (see Jing et al. 2011). Moreover, Lu et al. (2012) predicted that the range size of the species would contract by 27% (from 60,615 km² to 44,132 km²) between 2012 and 2050 (using the mean of five scenarios of current climate and 30 of future climate change), equivalent to a rate, if constant, of c.10% over three generations. Given this species' reliance on a relatively narrow habitat type, it is suspected to decline approximately in line with habitat loss.

Perisoreus internigrans is endemic to China, where it is known from eastern Tibet, south-east Qinghai, southern Gansu and western Sichuan (BirdLife International 2001).

It appears to favour high-altitude (3,000-4,270 m), dry coniferous forest of mature spruce, and mixed fir and rhododendron forest, often with a poorly developed understorey. It forms small flocks in autumn, usually of five or six birds, but sometimes more than 10, and feeds on invertebrates and fruit. It breeds very early, with clutch completion estimated to occur in March or April (Yu Jing et al. 2009).

The main threat is likely to be the loss and fragmentation of forest, including substantial areas of the upper temperate and subalpine zone forests in Sichuan, through logging for timber, tourist development, forest fires and conversion to agriculture and pasture (S. Francis in litt. 2016). Forest cover may also be declining on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau because of climate change; the region is progressively becoming drier, and suitable habitat for this species may become even more fragmented in the future (Lu et al. 2012).

Conservation Actions Underway
A number of protected areas established for giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca contain suitable habitat, but the species's distribution and abundance in these is poorly known. It has only been recorded from one protected area, Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve in Sichuan. This has an area of 200 km², where the natural habitats are apparently in excellent condition, but are under pressure from large-scale tourism.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue to monitor population trends with respect to ongoing fragmentation and climate change. Support recommendations to control logging, control fire and restore damaged giant panda habitat where this would benefit this species and other endemic temperate forest bird species. Where re-planting occurs in logged areas, make sure suitable species are planted (S. Francis in litt. 2016). Strengthen protection and control tourism at Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve and link it to other important protected areas in the Min Shan. List it as a nationally protected species in China.

30 cm. Medium-sized, drab, sooty-grey jay. Bill rather short and stout, head darker than body. Voice Contact calls include high-pitched kyip notes, sometimes extended to kyip kyip kyip kyip kyip ip ip ip ip, and mewing, rising meeeoo-meeeoo.

Text account compilers
Berryman, A.

Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Crosby, M., Francis, S., Khwaja, N., Peet, N., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Sichuan Jay Perisoreus internigrans. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/sichuan-jay-perisoreus-internigrans 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.