Dynamic Change in Spring Habitat use by the Brown Eared Pheasant (Crossptilon mantchuricum) in the Huanglong Mountains, Yanan City, Shaanxi Province, China

Research reveals that the brown eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum), a threatened species, exhibits dynamic habitat preferences during spring, shifting between pre-breeding and breeding seasons in Huanglongshan Nature Reserve, China. During the pre-breeding season (February–May 2011), these birds favored mixed forests with intermediate sun exposure on gentle slopes (<10°), near water sources and footpaths, characterized by larger tree diameters, lower shrub density, reduced grass cover, and lower altitudes. Conversely, breeding-season habitats included slightly higher altitudes, increased shrub density, moderately steep slopes (10°–20°), and greater distance from water and paths. These shifts align with seasonal vegetation and food-resource availability, underscoring the need for adaptive conservation strategies to accommodate such habitat dynamics.

Li, H.-Q., Liu, X.-l., Wang, R.-H., Wang, Y.-B., Bridge, E. S., Yue, B.-S., Chen, J.-Z., & Xiao, X.-M. (2014). Dynamic Change in Spring Habitat use by the Brown Eared Pheasant (Crossptilon mantchuricum) in the Huanglong Mountains, Yanan City, Shaanxi Province, China. Zoological Science, 31(8), 529–534. https://doi.org/10.2108/zs130163