Przevalski's Partridge vs Great Argus
Alectoris magna compared with Argusianus argus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Przevalski's Partridge | Great Argus |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Alectoris magna | Argusianus argus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.5 cm (13.6 in) | 76.8 cm (30.2 in) |
| Weight | 553.0 g (19.51 oz) | 1956.25 g (69.00 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, plant material, and invertebrates in rocky terrain of northwestern China and Central Asia. | Omnivorous ground forager; eats fallen fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small animals; scratches leaf litter in … |
| Clutch Size | 7-20 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Przevalski's Partridge
Loud, resonant 'chuck-chuck-CHURR' calls from Chinese loess plateau and Qinghai rocky terrain; lower and slightly fuller than Chukar. Alarm is rapid harsh cackle. Pairs call in duet at dawn.
Great Argus
Magnificent loud 'qua-WAWW' wailing call echoing through SE Asian rainforest; one of most distinctive tropical bird calls. Male calls from cleared dancing arena. Alarm is explosive barking cackle.
Geographic Range & Migration
Przevalski's Partridge
Resident of rocky semi-arid hillsides in northwestern China (Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang) and adjacent Mongolia, at 1,500–3,500 m.
Great Argus
Resident of lowland and hill forest in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, from sea level to 900 m.
Conservation Status
Przevalski's Partridge
Great Argus
How to Tell Them Apart
Przevalski's Partridge
Large partridge; grey upperparts; white face and throat with narrow black gorget; broader and more distinct chestnut and white barring on flanks than Chukar; grey breast; red bill; larger overall …
Great Argus
Male with enormously elongated secondary feathers bearing large three-dimensional ocelli in tawny-brown, black, and buff; long dark tail; blue and red bare head. Female similar but shorter wings and tail.
About These Birds
Przevalski's Partridge
A large Phasianidae partridge (~553 g) of rocky semi-arid terrain and loess gullies in the Gansu corridor and adjacent Yellow River basin, northern China. Closely related to Chukar but notably larger. Feeds on seeds, leaves, and invertebrates. Tolerates cold winters; forms winter coveys. Least Concern.
Great Argus
A large Phasianidae pheasant (~1.96 kg) of Sundaland rainforests. Males possess enormous secondary wing feathers covered with intricate eye-spots used in a remarkable solo lek display. Clears a dancing court on the forest floor. Feeds on fallen fruits, shoots, and invertebrates. Vulnerable from deforestation.