Snow Partridge vs Altai Snowcock
Lerwa lerwa compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Snow Partridge | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lerwa lerwa | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 37.3 cm (14.7 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 581.5 g (20.51 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | -- | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 2-7 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Snow Partridge
Series of clear, whistled 'wee-wee-wee-WEE' rising in pitch toward end. Alpine Himalayan species. Alarm is a harsh rattling chatter; call carries across open rocky terrain.
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
Snow Partridge
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
Snow Partridge
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Snow Partridge
Upperparts densely barred black-and-white creating snow-speckled pattern; underparts chestnut-red streaked white; bill and legs red; sexes similar. Striking barred upperparts adapt to rocky snow-line habitat.
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
Snow Partridge
A medium-sized partridge (~580 g) of family Phasianidae, with intricately barred black-and-white plumage and red bill and legs. Inhabits alpine and subalpine rocky slopes and meadows across the Himalayas and adjacent ranges at 3,000–5,000 m elevation. Forages for grass seeds, shoots, and insects. Least Concern; one of the highest-altitude dwelling partridges; well adapted to extreme cold and snow.
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.