Abstract: [Objective]From April 2013 to January 2014, the habitat selection feature of silver pheasant in different seasons was investigated in Jiulongjiang National Forest Park, Hunan. The study analyzed seasonal variation, explored the habitat demand and the causes of silver pheasant at different life cycle stages, in order to provide a basis for future protection and to enrich the habitat selection theory.[Method]Through the field survey in four seasons, habitat characteristics of 105 utilized samples and 91 comparing samples were observed to determine the main ecological factors affecting habitat selection in this species. The collected data were analyzed by means of Vanderlooeg & Scavia selection index, resource selection functions and stepwise discriminant analysis.[Result]The analysis result showed that in the aspect of terrain, the slope ranges of 15°-30° and 31°-45°were preferred by silver pheasant. As for slope position, the lower slope was preferred in winter but random selection in the other seasons. As for altitude,the bird preferred higher altitudes in summer,but lower altitudes in winter. In spring, herb average height, fruits abundance and invertebrate abundance were the main ecological factors affecting silver pheasant habitat selection. The predicted accuracy was 88.5%. In summer, tree coverage, invertebrate abundance and plant food abundance were the main ecological factors. The predicted accuracy was 92.5%. In autumn, fruits abundance and invertebrate abundance were the main ecological factors and the predicted accuracy was 93.8%. In winter, the main factors were altitude, shrub coverage, fruits abundance, plant food abundance and proportion of bareness, and the predicted accuracy was 100%.[Conclusion]Spring habitat selection of silver pheasant is mainly affected by food sources, breeding habitat requirements and abundant rainfall. Summer habitat selection is mainly offected by brood stage habitat needs and food sources. Autumn habitat selection is mainly affected by food sources and shelter. Winter habitat selection is mainly affected by the upper vegetation and food availability. The different selection of different seasons is mainly weighed by the two factors:food and safety. In different seasons, the vegetation canopy density, herb cover and feeding conditions all change, which influences the silver pheasant to select the vegetation type, tree height and food, thereby forming the seasonal variation on habitat selection. Thus we should carry out targeted protective measures according to the habitat requirement of different season.

Key words: Silver pheasant(Lophura nycthemera), habitat, seasonal, utilize, predilection