Hume's Pheasant, Syrmaticus humiae, a near threatened species exists in relatively fragmented populations in southern China, north-east India, northern Myanmar, and northern Thailand. Although the species is thought to be threatened by habitat degradation throughout its range, little is know of its habitat preferences particularly in areas where habitat degradation have been introduced. I assessed habitat selection by examining their occurrences in relation to tree and ground vegetation characteristics in relatively disturbed habitat in northern Thailand. Disturbed habitat contained dense but small oaks with a small proportion of pines. The results from a Mann-Whitney U-test suggested that only ground vegetation height and cover of ground leaf litter affect its habitat selection. Therefore, maintaining ground vegetation height to a required level (33.4 cm) is suggested. Distinct characteristics between disturbed and broad-scale habitats were the basal area of pine and size of trees. Conservation strategies for Hume's Pheasant in the study sites may include control of fires in order to promote large-sized trees. Additional pine plantation forest patch is suggested only when the proportion of pine and oak-dominated areas in a home range is further studied. Further studies on nest characteristics and reproductive success between disturbed and undisturbed areas are also needed to monitor possible effects of habitat degradation on the pheasant.
