Roosting habitat selection of Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) in a fragmented forest patch, northwestern Guangxi, southwestern China

摘要

Knowledge of roosting site preference has shown a great importance for the conservation of Galliformes. The selection of good roosting habitats may prevent an excessive energy expenditure and reduce the risk of predation. The night roosts selected by two male and two female Hume's Pheasants ( Syrmaticus humiae ) were studied using radio transmitters in the Jinzhongshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, southern China. Thirty-five night roost sites were detected between February and August 2012. Hume's Pheasant roosted in family groups, predominantly in Tung oil tree ( Vernicia fordii ). The roosting site characteristics of Hume's Pheasant, including the distance to the habitat edge and road, shrub coverage, and height of roost branches between the breeding and non-breeding period showed statistically significant differences ( P.