Himalayan Snowcock
Tetraogallus himalayensis
The Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a rare partridges, pheasants, grouse, and alli found in 10 countries, weighing about 2.4 kg. The Himalayan snowcock is a snowcock in the pheasant family Phasianidae found across the Himalayan ranges and parts of the adjoining Pamir range of Asia.
About the Himalayan Snowcock
The Himalayan snowcock is a snowcock in the pheasant family Phasianidae found across the Himalayan ranges and parts of the adjoining Pamir range of Asia. It is found on alpine pastures and on steep rocky cliffs where they will dive down the hill slopes to escape. It overlaps with the slightly smaller Tibetan snowcock in parts of its wide range. The populations from different areas show variations in the colouration and about five subspecies have been designated. They were introduced in the mountains of Nevada in the United States in the 1960s and a wild population has established in the Ruby Mountains.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Himalayan snowcock is a large grey partridge-like bird, 55–74 cm (22–29 in) in length and weighing 2–3.1 kg (4.4–6.8 lb). The head pattern has a resemblance to that of the smaller and well marked chukar partridge. The white throat and sides of the head are bordered by chestnut moustachial stripe and a dark broad chestnut band stretching from the eye over the ear, expanding into the collar. The upper parts are grey, with feathers of the rump and the wings are bordered with rufous. The upper breast is grey with dark crescent bars.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.
When to see it
Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in July. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Himalayan Snowcock?
- The Himalayan snowcock is a large grey partridge-like bird, 55–74 cm (22–29 in) in length and weighing 2–3.1 kg (4.4–6.8 lb). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Himalayan Snowcock?
- The Himalayan Snowcock is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.4 kg.
- Where can you see a Himalayan Snowcock?
- The Himalayan Snowcock occurs in 10 countries, including India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China and Uzbekistan.
- What birds look similar to a Himalayan Snowcock?
- The Himalayan Snowcock is most easily confused with the Tibetan Snowcock, the Caucasian Snowcock and the Caspian Snowcock.
- Is the Himalayan Snowcock endangered?
- The Himalayan Snowcock is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Himalayan Snowcock for real
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