Objectives By comparing the activity rhythms of Chrysolophus pictus across different periods and their responses to anthropogenic disturbances, this study thoroughly analyzed the adaptive behavioral shifts in the species’ activity patterns under various conditions, thereby providing a scientific basis for formulating targeted conservation measures within the nature reserve.

Methods From February 2019 to October 2020, the entire area of Guizhou Mayanghe National Nature Reserve was divided into a grid of 1 km×1 km grid using ArcGIS 10.2 software. A camera trapping site was set up every 2 km² within a grid cell, with a total of 159 infrared camera monitoring sites deployed. Among these, 138 cameras operated normally, accumulating a total effort of 63,963 camera trap days. The kernel density estimation method was adopted to analyze differences in the activity rhythms of C. pictus under scenarios of human disturbance and livestock disturbance.

Results The results showed that the C. pictus exhibited stronger daytime activity, displaying typical diurnal patterns. Activity rhythms varied significantly across periods and under varying disturbance conditions. During the breeding period, the activity rhythms of the C. pictus were significantly different from the temporal distribution patterns of the different disturbance types (P < 0.05), with less overlap in activity and a clear staggering of activity peaks. In contrast, during the non-breeding period, the activity rhythms of the C. pictus were not significantly different from the distribution patterns of the different disturbance types, but still showed some degree of temporal avoidance. The overlap coefficients between the activity rhythms of the C. pictus and livestock activity patterns were low, suggesting that livestock activity may exert a greater influence on the activity rhythms of the C. pictus.

Conclusions In response to human disturbance, C. pictus showed clear temporal avoidance behavior, particularly during the breeding season when human disturbance had a more pronounced impact on its activity rhythm. Consequently, future conservation measures in the reserve should prioritize management strategies that minimize human disturbance.