Collared Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Arborophila gingica compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Collared Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila gingica | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.6 cm (10.9 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 286.5 g (10.11 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Eats seeds, invertebrates, and small fruits on floor of southern Chinese hill forests. Scratches leaf … | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 5-7 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Collared Partridge
Melodic, slightly plaintive 'cu-WEE' whistle repeated at regular intervals from Chinese forest; carries well. Pairs often call in near-synchrony at dawn. Alarm note is an abrupt sharp 'kip'.
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
Collared Partridge
Endemic to southeastern China in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Zhejiang at 200-1,500 m. Found in subtropical 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
Collared Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Collared Partridge
Brown above; white throat bordered by black collar band; grey breast with rufous streaking; flanks chestnut streaked white; bare red eye-ring; bold black collar below white throat is the key …
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
Collared Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~285 g) of family Phasianidae, with a white collar and spotted brown plumage. Endemic to subtropical mountain forests in southeastern China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan). Forages on the forest floor for seeds and invertebrates. Near Threatened; facing significant pressure from deforestation of lowland forest in southeastern China and hunting.
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.