Justification This species has been reclassified as Near Threatened owing to declines that are projected to occur owing to road construction for touristic development. Although population trends in parts of the species range are unclear, the overall rate of decline is projected to increase owing to increased hunting, grazing and wood cutting, as well as habitat fragmentation.

Family/Sub-family Phasianidae

Species name author Taczanowski, 1875

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), Cramp and Simmons (1977-1994), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

59,000 - 110,000

decreasing

87,000 km²

No

Range & population Tetrao mlokosiewiczi is endemic to the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountains, where there are thought to be some 68,000-84,300 individuals spread between Russia (15,000-50,000 individuals), Georgia (40,000-50,000 individuals), Turkey (3,000-4,500 individuals), Armenia (400-800 individuals), Azerbaijan (700-3,000 breeding individuals) and Iran (less than 500 individuals) ^1,2,5,6,18. Population estimates have been very variable and data are patchy, partially due to political unrest which has hampered data collection on populations, trends and threats. Spatial modeling has led to increased population estimates; for instance, in Turkey the population was thought to perhaps be as low as 1,000 individuals, but given the extent of suitable habitat it may comprise over 4,800 individuals¹⁰. Where trend estimates for 1990-2000 are available they tend to show that the population is in decline (Armenia, 10-19%, Azerbaijan, 20-29% and Turkey, 0-19%) and although in Russia the population is apparently stable, rates of decline are widely predicted to increase.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It is found in subalpine and alpine meadows, slopes with Rhododendron and juniper Juniperus, and on the edge of birch forest in spring and winter, at elevations of 1,800-3,300 m. Meadows used for hay production are important for breeding birds¹¹.

Threats Ongoing road building for the construction of holiday homes in the mountains is currently the major threat and is likely to significantly increase the rate of decline by fragmenting habitat, causing disturbance and allowing increased access for hunters and herdsmen^8,12,15,16. Construction of summer homes and wood-cutting for fuel reduces the availability of winter foraging habitat. Habitat loss and deterioration are also likely to be major threats with 40% of subalpine meadows within its range suffering from intensive grazing³. The density of birds in grazed areas is low. Grazing livestock disturb and trample nests and birds are killed by herders' dogs¹⁹. Illegal hunting is an increasing threat, particularly in the Lesser Caucasus and in Turkey, both by local residents and occasionally by tourists¹⁷. Dam building and subsequent re-settlement of displaced people is likely to cause significant declines in Turkey¹⁵.

Conservation measures underway Large scale research and conservation projects are underway in Georgia and Turkey to improve understanding of the species' biology, develop monitoring and management activities and promote public awareness, and a project to survey the species in Azerbaijan has begun^4,7,9,13. Future work to develop a conservation strategy and create a potential distribution map for all range countries is planned. A captive breeding program is being developed in Armenia.

Conservation measures proposed Continue research into its population status, ecological requirements and interactions with different farming and forestry methods. Encourage the development and implementation of national species action plans. Develop a framework for grouse-friendly farming practice, including control of dogs and regulation of hunting. Develop public awareness campaigns. Prevent road construction and inappropriate development in key areas for the species. Review the adequacy of the existing protected area network. Monitor populations at a number of sites throughout its range, especially close to sites which are being developed.

References Storch (in press). 1. Gokhelashvili et al. (2003). 2. T. Sviridova in litt. (2000). 3. WWF/IUCN (1994). 4. IUCN/SSC/BirdLife/WPA Grouse Specialist Group (2002). 5. BirdLife International (2004). 6. S. Klaus in litt. (2005) 7. R. Gokhelashvili in litt. (2005) 8. G. Welch in litt. (2005) 9. E. Sultanov in litt. (2005). 10. Gottschalk et al. (2007). 11. Klaus et al. (2003). 12. Isfendiyaroglu et al. (2007). 13. Azniashvili (2004). 14. Manvelyan (2004). 15. BaÞkaya (2003). 16. Ýsfendiyaroðlu et al. (2007). 17. E. Ménoni in litt. (2007). 18. Khosravifard in litt. (2007). 19. S. Klaus in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)

Doga Dernegi Project

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Aidan Keane (World Pheasant Association), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division)

Contributors Vasil Ananian, Ozge Balkiz (Doga Dernegi), Sagdan Baskaya, Johnathan Etzold, Alexander Gavashelishvili (Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife), Mamikon Ghasabyan, Ramaz Gokhelashvili (Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife), Sam Khosravifard, Siegi Klaus, Emmanuel Ménoni, Anton Mezhnev, Michael Patrikeev, Ilse Storch (IUCN/SSC/BirdLife/WPA Grouse Specialist Group), Elchin Sultanov (Azerbaijan Ornithological Society), T. V. Sviridova (Russian Bird Conservation Union), Geoff Welch (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)

IUCN Red List evaluators Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Simon Mahood (BirdLife International), Alison Stattersfield (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Tetrao mlokosiewiczi. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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