Chinese Grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi): its natural history, behavior and conservation

The Chinese Grouse (Bonasa sewerzowi) is a bird endemic to China, inhabiting the conifer-dominated high mountains. It occurs in the most southern range of grouse and is the smallest grouse species in the world. The Chinese Grouse has been listed as an endangered species by the China Red Data Book and placed in Category Ⅰ of nationally protected animals. Since 1995, we have systematically conducted work on the Chinese Grouse using radiotelemetry techniques at the Lianhuashan Nature Reserve in Gansu Province, western China. In this presentation we summarize the mating behavior, nest site selection, incubation rhythm, winter social behavior, diet and other natural history characteristics of this species. With the aid of landscape ecological methods, we also analyze the condition of habitat fragmentation and propose suggestions for conservation.