This species is classified as "near threatened" by the IUCN because of the reduction in its population size caused by the destruction of its habitat and hunting.

[2] The male Salvadori's pheasant is 46 to 55 cm (18 to 22 in) in length and is plain black, with a bluish fringe to the feathers of body and neck.

Her colour is reddish-brown, each feather having fine black speckling and a pale streak by the shaft, giving her a mottled look.

Juveniles are similar to females but the feathers are edged with pale buff giving a scaled effect.

Some birds are hunted and a few have appeared on sale in local markets, the vendors admitting that they had been poached from the Gunung Leuser National Park.