It inhabits alpine meadows, subalpine rhododendron scrub and rocky precipitous slopes from 3,000-4,200 m, occurring down to the edge of oak-rhododendron (S. Kumar in litt. 2004) and coniferous forest with a bamboo understorey, azalea forest, and areas of juniper and cotoneaster, descending to temperate forest at 2,000-3,000 m in October (Kumar and Singh 2004). Where its range overlaps with L. impejanus, it generally occurs at higher altitudes although some local reports have described them occurring together (S. Kumar in litt. 2004). It is solitary during the breeding season (spring), but gregarious in winter. It feeds on roots, tubers, seeds, bark and leaf parts (Kumar and Singh 2004).

Lophophorus sclateri is endemic to the eastern Himalaya, from Arunachal Pradesh, India, east through northern Myanmar and south-eastern Tibet to western Yunnan, China.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. It is legally protected in India (A. Rahmani in litt. 2012) and occurs in numerous protected areas (UNEP-WCMC and IUCN 2023).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys in Yunnan, south-east Tibet and Arunachal Pradesh to determine its population status and range. Carry out detailed studies to assess its habitat preferences and principal threats. Monitor poaching. Survey wildlife markets throughout its range to determine the scale and socioeconomic importance of hunting. Assess the contribution of the protected area network to its conservation and develop appropriate management/policy recommendations. Appoint security personnel to control poaching in India.