Hainan Partridge Arborophila ardens Scientific name definitions

Mountains of Hainan, in S China. Reports from S Guangxi in late 1970s unsubstantiated.

Inhabits primary, tropical evergreen forest, both broadleaved and mixed coniferous-broadleaved, including selectively logged areas (1 Pui Lok, C.B., Kwok Shing, L., Jianfeng, Z. and Wenba, S. (2005). Notable bird records from Bawangling National Nature Reserve, Hainan Island, China. Forktail 21: 33–41. Close ), mainly between 500 m and 1400 m (2 Lee Kwok Shing, Chan Bosco Pui Lok, and Li Shi-ning (2005). Birds of Yinggeling, Hainan Island, China: with notes on new and important records. BirdingASIA 4:68–79. Close , 3 Lee Kwok Shing, M. Lau Wai-neng, J. R. Fellowes, and Chan Bosco Pui Lok (2006). Forest bird fauna of South China: notes on current distribution and status. Forktail 22:23–38. Close ), more exceptionally to 1600 m.

No information available, other than that tree seeds, insects (including termites) (4 Gao, Y. (1998). The ecology of the Hainan Hill Partridge Arborophila ardens on Hainan Island. P. 285 in:. Close ) and snails have been recorded in diet. Forages singly, in pairs and in coveys of up to five individuals (in winter).

Most frequently heard early morning and late afternoon (2 Lee Kwok Shing, Chan Bosco Pui Lok, and Li Shi-ning (2005). Birds of Yinggeling, Hainan Island, China: with notes on new and important records. BirdingASIA 4:68–79. Close ). Song typically in duet, one bird emitting a fast series of loud piping whistles, gradually increasing in volume and slightly in pitch, “phew-phew-phew-phew-phew...” at a rate of c. 3–4 notes/seconds, while the other gives lower-pitched mellow whistles, typically double-noted, at a much slower rate, “whih-huuw..whih-huuw..whih-huuw…” (the first note over-slurred and the second flat and lower-pitched).

Until recently almost nothing known, other than that two family groups each with three chicks had been observed (2 Lee Kwok Shing, Chan Bosco Pui Lok, and Li Shi-ning (2005). Birds of Yinggeling, Hainan Island, China: with notes on new and important records. BirdingASIA 4:68–79. Close ). However, fieldwork in Feb–May 2010–2012 resulted in the discovery of five nests, all built on the ground at the base of a tree (n = 3) or near a shrub or liana (n = 2), a bowl lined with dead leaves and feathers, and totally covered by dry leaves and small branches forming an arch; nest and cup diameters were 14·8 ± 14 cm and 9 ± 5·7 cm, respectively, with a cup depth of 17·4 ± 4 cm (n = 3) (5 Rao, X., Yang, C. and Liang, W. (2017). Breeding biology and novel reproductive behaviour in the Hainan Partridge (Arborophila ardens). Avian Res. 8: 34. Close ). Unusually, leaves and small branches were thrown on their nests for concealment before the adults left their nests, during incubation. Clutch size was 2–4 (mean three) white eggs, size 32·9–38·3 mm × 26·3–29·2 mm, mass 11·8–15·8 g, but no information concerning incubation or fledging periods (5 Rao, X., Yang, C. and Liang, W. (2017). Breeding biology and novel reproductive behaviour in the Hainan Partridge (Arborophila ardens). Avian Res. 8: 34. Close ). Of the five monitored nests, young fledged from two; of the rest, one nest was destroyed by local people , one deserted and one depredated by an unknown predator (5 Rao, X., Yang, C. and Liang, W. (2017). Breeding biology and novel reproductive behaviour in the Hainan Partridge (Arborophila ardens). Avian Res. 8: 34. Close ).

VULNERABLE. Mace Lande: endangered. Restricted range; occurs in Hainan Endemic Bird Area. Considered to be threatened because very little (c. 660 km²) suitable habitat remains, although most of this is protected (410 km²), with forest cover on Hainan reduced by 70% from c. 8630 km² to 2420 km² between 1949 and 1991; logging of primary forest on the island was declared illegal in 1994 (6 Gao, Y. (1998). Conservation status of endemic Galliformes on Hainan Island, China. Bird Conservation International. 8(4): 411–416. Close ). Population probably numbers much fewer than 10,000 individuals, being estimated at 4550 birds in 1998 (4 Gao, Y. (1998). The ecology of the Hainan Hill Partridge Arborophila ardens on Hainan Island. P. 285 in:. Close ) and more recently at 2600–3500 mature individuals; certainly known from relatively few localities, including Bawangling, Jianfengling (3 Lee Kwok Shing, M. Lau Wai-neng, J. R. Fellowes, and Chan Bosco Pui Lok (2006). Forest bird fauna of South China: notes on current distribution and status. Forktail 22:23–38. Close ), Wuzhishan, Diaoluoshan Limushan and Nanweiling Nature Reserves, while its recent discovery at Yinggeling (2 Lee Kwok Shing, Chan Bosco Pui Lok, and Li Shi-ning (2005). Birds of Yinggeling, Hainan Island, China: with notes on new and important records. BirdingASIA 4:68–79. Close ) also prompted protection of this area as a reserve. Apparently common and widespread in Bawangling National Nature Reserve (with densities of 6–8 birds/km² based on surveys in 1987–1994) (6 Gao, Y. (1998). Conservation status of endemic Galliformes on Hainan Island, China. Bird Conservation International. 8(4): 411–416. Close ), although the level of protection that this affords is uncertain. Threats are those to habitat, especially extraction of trees, conversion to agricultural land and general degradation; species is also hunted. Effect of projected climate change on the extent and distribution of suitable habitats is a potential long-term threat. Successfully bred in captivity (4 Gao, Y. (1998). The ecology of the Hainan Hill Partridge Arborophila ardens on Hainan Island. P. 285 in:. Close ).