Orange-necked Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Arborophila davidi compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Orange-necked Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila davidi | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 26.0 cm (10.2 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 241.0 g (8.50 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of Vietnamese forests. Critically endangered; diet poorly … | 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
Orange-necked Partridge
Slightly nasal 'wheee-yoo' whistle with plaintive quality; endemic to S Vietnam. Calls infrequently. Contact notes are quiet, gentle clucks; alarm is a quick explosive 'pik' note.
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
Orange-necked Partridge
Endemic to southern Vietnam and Cambodia. Found in lowland evergreen forest and secondary growth. Poorly known.
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
Orange-necked Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Orange-necked Partridge
Brown above; neck sides and throat vivid orange, contrasting with grey breast; flanks grey streaked white; bare reddish eye-ring; orange neck patch is unmistakable; one of the most distinctive Arborophila …
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
Orange-necked Partridge
A small partridge (~240 g) of family Phasianidae, with a vivid orange neck and throat patch. Endemic to a small area of evergreen forest in southeastern Vietnam and possibly adjacent Cambodia. Inhabits lowland and foothill forest. Forages on the forest floor for seeds and invertebrates. Near Threatened; extremely restricted range with significant deforestation and active hunting pressure in southeastern Vietnam.
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.