# Ecology of Gamebirds in Namha National Protected Area, Lao People's Democratic Republic
## 1 Introduction  
Gamebirds (order Galliformes) play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the forests in which they live, cultivating plant community structure through seed predation dynamics, and tilling the soil routinely [1]. Moreover, they are often a vital protein source for people and predatory wildlife alike [2]. However, owing to their desirability as a protein source, gamebirds are often characterized by unsustainable harvest, not only for protein, but also for the feather and live bird markets [3]. These trends, along with the wholesaledestruction of the habitats they thrive in, have led to many species of gamebirds being threatened with extinction (e.g., [4, 5]).  
The Birdlife International Redlist records 15 species of gamebirds as present in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR hereafter), 3 of them stable and the other 12 decreasing [6, 7]. A limited amount of work has been done on gamebirds in Lao PDR, primarily comprising wildlife bio-inventories, which include reports of several species of gamebirds. These include Xe Bang Nouan National Protected Area (NPA, south-central Lao PDR) [8] and Nam Et--Phou Louey NPA (northern Lao PDR) [9, 10]. [PERSON] et al. [9] camera-trapped 35 species of mammals and birds, including five species of gamebirds, and concluded that the relative abundance of small prey animals (such as gamebirds) was significantly higher where human density was low. [PERSON] et al. [10] camera-trapped 43 species and estimated the probabilities of occupancy, persistence, colonization and detection, including three species of pheasants and Rufous-throated Partridge. Additionally, [PERSON] et al. [4] reviewed the Indochinese range (Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam), habitat and conservation status of 21 species of gamebirds to assess the overall conservation requirements, with non-functional protected areas as the primary threat. Previous surveys recorded the presence of six species of gamebirds in and around the Namha NPA: Mountain Bamboo Partridge _Bubusicola fytchii_, Rufous-throated Partridge _Arborophila rufogularis_, Bar-backed Partridge _A. brunneopectus_, Red Junglefowl _Gallus gallus_, Silver Pheasant _Lophura nytchemera_ and Gray Peacock Pheasant _Polylectron bicalcaratum_[11, 12].  
For many species of gamebirds, it is extremely challenging to study intimate aspects of life history and ecology due to their shy, retiring nature. A major advantage of camera-traps is they can be used successfully in remote regions to help fill in large information gaps for cryptic birds that are difficult to observe [13]. The studies of [PERSON] and [PERSON] [14] and [PERSON] [15], while being notable contributions for Silver Pheasant _Lophura nytchemera_ and Gray Peacock Pheasant _Polylectron bicalcaratum_, respectively, did not utilize camera-trapping in their methodologies. We were fortunate to opportune datasets for both of these species, thanks to the utilization of camera trap images that were bycatch from general diversity surveys [16].  
Relatively few in-depth autoecological (species-level) studies have been undertaken for the species comprising the focus of our work. Our objectives herein are to add to knowledge of the general biology and ecology of several species of gamebirds (i.e., _Arborophila_ partridges and pheasants) and assess species associations in Namha National Protected Area (NNPA hereafter) in Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR. While NNPA contains valuable habitat for the gamebirds studied here and other species of wildlife, there are growing threats to the continued persistence of these species. Understanding their ecology, behavior and status could inform conservation management and improve their prospects for survival. We discuss our results by comparing and contrasting our findings with other studies, and consider implications for conservation in the region.