White-cheeked Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Arborophila atrogularis compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-cheeked Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila atrogularis | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.8 cm (10.2 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 256.0 g (9.03 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of northeastern Indian and Myanmarese hill forests. | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 3-7 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
White-cheeked Partridge
Ringing 'kwee-oo-kwee' trio of whistled notes; second note lower, third rising again. Calls from NE Indian and Myanmar hillside forest. Alarm is a sharp staccato cluck 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
White-cheeked Partridge
Resident in the foothills of northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar at 100-1,500 m. Found in dense lowland and foothill forest.
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
White-cheeked Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
White-cheeked Partridge
Brown above; cheeks white contrasting with black throat and lores; grey breast; flanks grey-brown streaked white; bare reddish eye-ring; white cheeks against black throat create distinctive facial pattern.
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
White-cheeked Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~255 g) of family Phasianidae, with white cheeks contrasting against a black throat. Inhabits subtropical and lower montane forests in northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Forages secretively on the forest floor for seeds and invertebrates in dense bamboo and undergrowth. Least Concern; widespread in the eastern Himalayan foothills and Assam region.
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.