Nest Predators and Reproductive Success in the Chinese Francolin (Francolinus pintadeanus) Across Two Nature Reserves of Tropical Hainan Island, China

Understanding the reproductive ecology of birds and the factors influencing nest predation is essential for developing scientifically sound and effective bird conservation strategies. Certain pheasant species sensitive to environmental changes are vulnerable to threats and face survival pressures such as habitat destruction and human activities. However, research related to their reproductive ecology is lacking. Here for the first time we reported information on breeding biology of the Chinese francolin (Francolinus pintadeanus). This study was conducted during the breeding seasons of the Chinese francolin in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025, combining traditional survey and infrared camera technology to monitor its reproductive ecology and nest predators in the Datian and Bangxi Reserves and to identify its potential predators through artificial nest experiments. All nests were open-ground nests located at the roots of dwarf shrubs and grasses. Our findings revealed that the breeding season of the Chinese francolin was mainly in March–September, peaking in May; its clutch size was 4.09 ± 1.27 (N = 22), reproductive success was 27.27%, and 16 nests were failed; and all failed nests were predated, with abandoned nests accounting for 93.75% of the failed nests. In artificial nest experiments, the predation rates of Datian Reserve and Bangxi Reserve were 70.91% (N = 55) and 60.00% (N = 30), respectively, with no significant difference in predation rates between the fully covered and exposed groups (Datian: χ2 = 0.258, p = 0.612; Bangxi: p = 0.710). Natural nest monitoring and artificial nest experiments on the Chinese francolin identified snakes and the small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) as the main predators in Datian Reserve, as well as the greater coucal (Centropus sinensis) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) as potential predators. In contrast, the main predators in Bangxi Reserve were snakes and rodents. These findings indicate differences in nest predator taxa between the two reserves. We recommend prioritizing the restoration of dwarf scrub vegetation and optimizing the habitat management strategy in these reserves to better protect the breeding habitats of pheasants while promoting long-term stability and continuation of their populations.