Eastern Asia

Eastern Asia comprises China, the Japanese archipelago, the Korean peninsula and Mongolia. It is topographically diverse containing the highest plateau in the world, deep valleys where rivers flow and plains which have been settled and cultivated by human populations. The geographical diversity has resulted in a wide variety of forest types, grasslands and alpine habitats that have produced a huge array of species; consequently China is one of the most important countries in the world for Galliformes.

China is one of the world's ‘mega-diverse' countries with 1332 recorded bird species, many of which are rare and endemic. China is particularly rich in pheasants and their relatives, resulting in them receiving more attention than any other group. Eastern Asia is home to 63 species of Galliformes, including 25 species of pheasants, 24 of partridges and eight of grouse. Nineteen species are endemic to the region. If you look at a map of China, the shape of the country actually looks like a pheasant! There are more researchers working on pheasants than any other group of birds in China.

The Galliformes of Eastern Asia are threatened principally by habitat loss, but hunting is also perceived to have a significant impact on wild populations.

Examples of WPA's work include:

Monasteries and pheasants in western Sichuan
Conserving Hainan's endemic Galliformes
Protecting the forests of the Daliang Shan region in Sichuan, China