Reeves’s Pheasant (
Syrmaticus reevesii
) is a threatened pheasant species endemic to China. The habitat use
of territorial male birds was surveyed by the help of live decoys in a core area of Dongzhai National Nature Reserve. The
breeding habitat selection of this pheasant was examined at two scales (115 m and 250 m scale, i.e. 4.15 hm
2 and 19.63
hm
2, respectively), including the characteristics at distance scale. Investigation was based on line transect, RS and GIS in
Dongzhai National Natural Reserve from 2001 to 2003. Moreover, a range of habitat variables were compared between
used and control points at each scale, and stepwise logistic regression was applied to select the key scale and the key
habitat factors in relation to breeding habitat selection of this bird. Our results stated that the territorial males at Baiyun
occurred mostly in mixed forests, followed by fir forests, pine forests, shrubs, and broadleaf forests. The area of conifer
forests was the key factor influencing habitat selection of this bird in breeding period at the scales of 115 m and 250 m,
and the proximity of farmland was important for habitat selection in breeding seasons. Furthermore, Reeves’s Pheasants
attached great importance to the scale of 115 m. When considering a range of habitat variables at all scales within a
multivariate regression, the leading factors having effect on habitat selection in the breeding period were areas of conifer
forests at 115 m scale and the distance to farmland. In addition, these above results suggested that strengthening the
management of suitable habitat, and optimizing the habitat configuration are important in promoting conservation of this
bird. However, it also highlighted the importance of initiating future researches on the conifer forests and their impact on
the population of Reeves’s Pheasants, which would be beneficial to promote the habitat conservation of this pheasant
more effectively.
