Barbary Partridge vs Caspian Snowcock
Alectoris barbara compared with Tetraogallus caspius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Barbary Partridge | Caspian Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris barbara | Tetraogallus caspius |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.6 cm (12.8 in) | 56.7 cm (22.3 in) |
| Weight | 418.5 g (14.76 oz) | 2332.0 g (82.26 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, berries, shoots, and invertebrates in North African scrub, rocky terrain, and farmland. | Eats alpine grasses, seeds, shoots, and berries; digs for roots and bulbs on rocky Caspian-region … |
| Clutch Size | 6-27 | 5-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Barbary Partridge
Loud, nasal 'kee-kee-kee-KARRR' calls from N African rocky terrain; slightly lower than Red-legged Partridge. Alarm is rapid cackling cackle. Pairs call in duet at dawn on rocky hillsides and scrub.
Caspian Snowcock
Loud, whistled 'wheee-WHI-oo' series carrying across Iranian alpine plateaus; rich, melodic quality. Large size gives call fuller resonance. Alarm is rapid loud barking. Flocks call together at dawn.
Geographic Range & Migration
Barbary Partridge
Resident of rocky hillsides, scrub, and coastal areas in North Africa (Morocco to Libya), Canary Islands, Sardinia, Gibraltar, and Madeira.
Caspian Snowcock
Resident of rocky alpine and subalpine terrain from the Alborz Mountains (Iran) through the Zagros and Armenia to eastern Turkey, at 2,000–4,000 m.
Conservation Status
Barbary Partridge
Caspian Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Barbary Partridge
Blue-grey upperparts; chestnut-spotted white flank bars; grey crown; rufous-brown collar with white spots; reddish-orange bill and legs; white face. Closely resembles Red-legged Partridge but collar spotted.
Caspian Snowcock
Grey-brown above with pale buff streaking; white underparts with dark flank streaks and rufous lateral neck patches; white outer tail feathers; whitish face; orange-red bill and legs. Closely resembles Himalayan …
About These Birds
Barbary Partridge
A medium Phasianidae partridge (~419 g) of rocky hillsides, scrub, and open slopes across North Africa, the Canary Islands, and Gibraltar. Grey-brown with a spotted chestnut-necklace pattern. Lives in pairs or small coveys; feeds on seeds, bulbs, and invertebrates. Least Concern; introduced as a gamebird in several regions.
Caspian Snowcock
A large Phasianidae snowcock (~2.33 kg) of high rocky mountains in Turkey, Iran, and the Zagros and Elburz ranges. Grey-brown with chestnut streaking; whiter below. Inhabits steep scree and alpine meadow above 2,500 m. Feeds on grasses, roots, and invertebrates. Strong flier when alarmed. Least Concern.