Sand Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Ammoperdix heyi compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sand Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ammoperdix heyi | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 24.6 cm (9.7 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 190.0 g (6.70 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, plant matter, and invertebrates in arid rocky hillsides of the Arabian Peninsula … | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 5-14 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Sand Partridge
Soft, plaintive 'see-see' whistle from rocky desert wadis; slightly thinner and more plaintive than See-see Partridge. Middle Eastern arid species calling at dawn. Alarm is sharp 'kek-kek' series.
Altai Snowcock
Loud, ringing whistled 'whi-WHEEE' echoing across Altai alpine slopes; deeper than Tibetan Snowcock due to larger size. Alarm is rapid barking. Calls at dawn from rocky ridgelines.
Geographic Range & Migration
Sand Partridge
Resident of rocky desert wadis and hillsides in the Sinai, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen; closely associated with arid terrain.
Altai Snowcock
Resident of alpine rocky slopes and grassy hillsides in the Altai and Sayan mountains of Russia, Kazakhstan, and western Mongolia, at 2,000–4,000 m.
Conservation Status
Sand Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Sand Partridge
Male pale sandy-buff with orange-chestnut and white barred flanks; orange-buff face; grey crown; orange bill and legs. Female plain pale sandy-buff throughout; similar to female See-see but range differs.
Altai Snowcock
Largest snowcock; grey-brown upperparts with buff streaks; white underparts with grey breast; rufous necklace streaks on lower neck; white outer tail in flight; whitish face with dark ear patch. Sexes …
About These Birds
Sand Partridge
A small Phasianidae partridge (~190 g) of sandy desert wadis and rocky slopes in the Middle East and northeastern Africa. Fawn-buff plumage with chestnut flank bars blends with desert substrate. Extremely heat-tolerant; active at dawn and dusk. Feeds on desert seeds and invertebrates. Least Concern.
Altai Snowcock
The largest snowcock (~2.77 kg), family Phasianidae, of alpine scree and subalpine meadows in the Altai and Tian Shan ranges of Central Asia. Heavily built, grey and white with rusty-brown markings. Feeds on roots, bulbs, and alpine plants. Forms small flocks outside breeding season. Least Concern.