Ahanta Spurfowl vs Caspian Snowcock
Pternistis ahantensis compared with Tetraogallus caspius
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ahanta Spurfowl | Caspian Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis ahantensis | Tetraogallus caspius |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.6 cm (13.6 in) | 56.7 cm (22.3 in) |
| Weight | 547.5 g (19.31 oz) | 2332.0 g (82.26 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in West African lowland forest and thicket. | Eats alpine grasses, seeds, shoots, and berries; digs for roots and bulbs on rocky Caspian-region … |
| Clutch Size | 3-12 | 5-9 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Ahanta Spurfowl
Loud, staccato 'krak-krak-KRAAK' from W African forest edge; slightly higher than larger spurfowl. Alarm is rapid explosive cackling. Pairs call in loose synchrony at dawn in secondary growth.
Caspian Snowcock
Loud, whistled 'wheee-WHI-oo' series carrying across Iranian alpine plateaus; rich, melodic quality. Large size gives call fuller resonance. Alarm is rapid loud barking. Flocks call together at dawn.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ahanta Spurfowl
Resident of dense lowland and coastal forest in West Africa from Ghana to Cameroon; also found in Bioko Island.
Caspian Snowcock
Resident of rocky alpine and subalpine terrain from the Alborz Mountains (Iran) through the Zagros and Armenia to eastern Turkey, at 2,000–4,000 m.
Conservation Status
Ahanta Spurfowl
Caspian Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Ahanta Spurfowl
Dark brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; whitish below with dark brown streaking; red bill; red orbital skin; yellow legs. Sexes similar; closely resembles Double-spurred Spurfowl; West African forests.
Caspian Snowcock
Grey-brown above with pale buff streaking; white underparts with dark flank streaks and rufous lateral neck patches; white outer tail feathers; whitish face; orange-red bill and legs. Closely resembles Himalayan …
About These Birds
Ahanta Spurfowl
A medium Phasianidae spurfowl (~548 g) of lowland and secondary forest edges in West Africa from Ivory Coast to Nigeria. Dark brown streaked white; red orbital skin. Forages on the ground in pairs or small groups for seeds, berries, and invertebrates. Tolerates forest fragments; Least Concern.
Caspian Snowcock
A large Phasianidae snowcock (~2.33 kg) of high rocky mountains in Turkey, Iran, and the Zagros and Elburz ranges. Grey-brown with chestnut streaking; whiter below. Inhabits steep scree and alpine meadow above 2,500 m. Feeds on grasses, roots, and invertebrates. Strong flier when alarmed. Least Concern.