Demography and Populations

All forest-adapted odontophorids have smaller clutch sizes than the species found in more open habitats; although there are no estimates of life span and mortality for these species, the lower productivity rate may be compensated by a greater adult survivorship (Carroll 1994).

The estimated global population for the Long-tailed Wood-Partridge, in an estimated area of distribution of 93,700 km², ranges from 20,000 to 49,999 individuals, that appears to be decreasing, but not rapidly (BirdLife International 2010). In montane evergreen forest the density is probably quite low, in the vicinity of 2 pairs/40 ha, according to Johnsgard (1973). A similar figure, 1 pair/21.3 ha, was estimated by Romo and Urbina (1999) in Lagunas de Zempoala National Park, Morelos. Navarro (1992) found it abundant ("seen in numbers in every visit") in undisturbed mountain evergreen forests of the Sierra de Atoyac, Guerrero. Watson (2003) determined a relative abundance of 0.37 in the little disturbed montane evergreen and humid pine-oak forests in Oaxaca.

In a 3-year intensive study in a 128 km² temperate coniferous forest managed for timber production in Michoacán, the average detection rate was 0.31 ± 0.03 individuals/point count, with a mean estimate for population density of 20.9 birds/km² (CI 12.6 – 34.6 birds/km²), and a mean population estimate of 2,679 individuals (CI 1,619 – 4,434 individuals), calculated with Distance sampling methods (Chávez-León and Velázquez 2004). In a natural protected forest located nearby (Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park; area 4.5 km²) the average detection rate was 0.69 ± 0.17 individuals/point count, a density of 42.9 birds/km² (CI 23.8 - 77.3), and an abundance of 193 individuals (Chávez-León 2004b).

Reported body parasites include only a chewing lice (Chilopestes simillis: Mallophaga; Malcomson 1960).

There is no information on age at first breeding; life span and survivorship, diseases or other body parasites; causes of mortality; and the factors that affect population regulation.