Rufous-throated Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Arborophila rufogularis compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-throated Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Arborophila rufogularis | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 298.1666666666667 g (10.52 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Forages on floor of South and Southeast Asian hill forests for seeds, invertebrates, and small … | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 4-8 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Rufous-throated Partridge
Rich, repeated 'who-WHEEE-oo' whistle with slight burry quality; resonant and far-carrying. Male calls persistently at dawn in SE Asian forests. Alarm a rapid staccato 'kik-kik' 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
Rufous-throated Partridge
Resident in the foothills and hills of the eastern Himalayas and Indochina from Nepal east to southern China and Vietnam at 300-2,400 m.
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
Rufous-throated Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-throated Partridge
Brown above with black-and-buff streaking; throat bright rufous-orange; breast grey with rufous mottling; flanks grey streaked white; bare red eye-ring; rufous throat patch is the distinguishing feature.
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
Rufous-throated Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~300 g) of family Phasianidae, with a rufous throat and intricate brown plumage. Inhabits subtropical and lower montane forests from northeastern India and Bangladesh through Myanmar to southwestern China and northern Indochina. Forages on the forest floor for seeds and invertebrates. Least Concern; widespread in lower Himalayan and Southeast Asian mountain forests.
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.