Hainan Peacock-Pheasant vs Altai Snowcock
Polyplectron katsumatae compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hainan Peacock-Pheasant | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polyplectron katsumatae | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.4 cm (12.8 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 554.6 g (19.56 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Ground forager; eats seeds, fruits, and invertebrates in Hainan Island tropical forest. | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Hainan Peacock-Pheasant
Thin whistled 'kwi-kwi' display calls; Hainan endemic, one of world's rarest pheasants. Alarm is a sharp explosive 'kak'. Contact presumably low clucking. Very poorly documented vocally due to rarity.
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
Hainan Peacock-Pheasant
Endemic to Hainan Island, China; resident of tropical broadleaf forest; critically endangered.
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
Hainan Peacock-Pheasant
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Hainan Peacock-Pheasant
Male brownish-black with blue-green iridescent ocelli on wings and tail; pinkish orbital skin; whitish-buff facial scaling. Female brown with small green ocelli; both sexes noticeably smaller than mainland relatives.
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
Hainan Peacock-Pheasant
A small, critically threatened Phasianidae pheasant (~555 g) endemic to the tropical forests of Hainan Island, China. Males bear iridescent blue-green ocelli on a brown ground. Very few individuals remain in severely fragmented habitats. Feeds on seeds and invertebrates. Endangered from near-total loss of original forest cover.
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.