Chestnut-headed Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Arborophila cambodiana compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Chestnut-headed Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila cambodiana | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 28.5 cm (11.2 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 286.0 g (10.09 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Forages on floor of Cambodian and Thai montane forests for seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits. | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Melodic, slightly tremulous 'wee-WEE-oo' repeated 3–5 times; pure whistle quality. Calls from Cambodian highland forest at dawn. Alarm is a harsh, clucking rattle when disturbed.
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
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Resident in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand. Found in 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
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Chestnut-headed Partridge
Rich chestnut-orange head contrasting with grey breast; brown back with black streaks; throat buff-white; flanks grey with white streaks; bare red eye-ring; chestnut head is boldly distinctive.
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
Chestnut-headed Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~285 g) of family Phasianidae, with a distinctive chestnut head and nape. Inhabits foothill and montane forests in the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia and adjacent Thailand. Forages on the forest floor for seeds, berries, and invertebrates. Least Concern; found in relatively intact montane forest within a restricted range; protected by rugged terrain.
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.