Chestnut-breasted Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Arborophila mandellii compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Chestnut-breasted Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila mandellii | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 25.9 cm (10.2 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 268.0 g (9.45 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Forages on floor of Eastern Himalayan and Tibetan foothill forests for seeds, invertebrates, and small … | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 4 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Chestnut-breasted Partridge
Ringing, whistled 'whi-WHEOO' in pairs or series; melodic and clear. Found in Himalayan foothills; male sings from dense bamboo. Alarm is a low guttural 'krrk-krrk' rapidly repeated.
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-breasted Partridge
Resident in the eastern Himalayas of Bhutan, India (Arunachal Pradesh), and southern Tibet at 1,500-2,700 m. Found in dense 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
Chestnut-breasted Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Chestnut-breasted Partridge
Brown above; large chestnut breast patch; throat white bordered by black band; flanks grey with white streaks; bare red eye-ring; chestnut breast separated from grey flanks by clear demarcation.
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-breasted Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~270 g) of family Phasianidae, with a chestnut breast and finely barred plumage. Inhabits subtropical and montane forests in the eastern Himalayas from northeastern India through Bhutan to southwestern China. Forages for seeds and invertebrates on the forest floor. Near Threatened due to forest loss and hunting across its Himalayan foothill range.
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.