Himalayan Quail vs Altai Snowcock
Ophrysia superciliosa compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Himalayan Quail | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ophrysia superciliosa | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 17.6 cm (6.9 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 189.7 g (6.69 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Presumed to feed on seeds and invertebrates in Himalayan montane scrub; critically endangered, diet poorly … | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Himalayan Quail
Almost certainly extinct; last recorded 1876. Historical accounts describe 'plaintive whistled calls' from Himalayan hill grass. No recordings exist. Likely soft high whistle like other hill quail.
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
Himalayan Quail
Known only from 19th-century specimens from Uttarakhand, India (Mussoorie and Nainital); possibly extinct with no confirmed records since 1876.
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
Himalayan Quail
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Himalayan Quail
Male dark grey with white spots and streaks; bold white supercilium; red bill. Female pale brownish-buff with dark brown streaking; pale supercilium. Last confirmed 1876; presumed possibly extinct; Uttarakhand hills.
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
Himalayan Quail
One of the world's most elusive birds, this Phasianidae quail (~190 g) is last confirmed from the western Himalayas in 1876 and may be extinct. A medium-sized quail of steep grassy hill slopes with a distinctive red bill. Presumed to feed on grass seeds. Critically Endangered; possibly extinct.
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.