Great Argus vs Altai Snowcock
Argusianus argus compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Argus | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Argusianus argus | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 76.8 cm (30.2 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 1956.25 g (69.00 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivorous ground forager; eats fallen fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small animals; scratches leaf litter in … | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Great Argus
Magnificent loud 'qua-WAWW' wailing call echoing through SE Asian rainforest; one of most distinctive tropical bird calls. Male calls from cleared dancing arena. Alarm is explosive barking cackle.
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
Great Argus
Resident of lowland and hill forest in peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, from sea level to 900 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
Great Argus
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Great Argus
Male with enormously elongated secondary feathers bearing large three-dimensional ocelli in tawny-brown, black, and buff; long dark tail; blue and red bare head. Female similar but shorter wings and tail.
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
Great Argus
A large Phasianidae pheasant (~1.96 kg) of Sundaland rainforests. Males possess enormous secondary wing feathers covered with intricate eye-spots used in a remarkable solo lek display. Clears a dancing court on the forest floor. Feeds on fallen fruits, shoots, and invertebrates. Vulnerable from deforestation.
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.