Survey on distribution of pheasants (Galliformes) in Mizoram, India

Abstract

Reconnaissance on spatial distribution of pheasants in eight districts of Mizoram was done during September 2012 to March 2013. The study shows that six species inhabit the study areas. Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) and Kalij Pheasants (Lophura Leucomelanos lathami ) are most versatile in distribution and are present in all sites (n=235). Grey Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) is recorded in 103 sites and is more abundant in middle and eastern parts of the state. Mrs. H􀉃􀈻􀈳’􀉁 P􀈶􀈳a􀉁a􀈼􀉂 􀌚Syrmaticus humiae􀌛 􀈷􀉁 􀉀􀈳􀈱􀈽􀉀􀈲􀈳􀈲 a􀉂 􀌰􀌯 􀉁􀈷􀉂􀈳􀉁 a􀈼􀈲 B􀈺y􀉂􀈶’􀉁 T􀉀a􀈵􀈽􀈾a􀈼 􀌚Tragopan blythii) at 4 sites, both in eastern higher elevation ranges. A lone record of Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) is from Tarpho village, Lunglei district, near Myanmar boundary. Comparison of the present data with previous records and possible sites for endangered pheasants has been discussed.