Double-spurred Spurfowl vs Altai Snowcock
Pternistis bicalcaratus compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Double-spurred Spurfowl | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pternistis bicalcaratus | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 34.1 cm (13.4 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 444.0 g (15.66 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on seeds, berries, invertebrates, and plant material in West African savanna and scrub. | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 4-8 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Altai Snowcock only
Song & Call Comparison
Double-spurred Spurfowl
Strident crowing series of raspy 'ka-wee' notes; noisy duets at dawn; alarm call a sharp clucking 'kek-kek-kek'
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
Double-spurred Spurfowl
Resident of open woodland, forest edge, and moist savanna in West Africa from Senegal and Gambia east to Togo and Benin.
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
Double-spurred Spurfowl
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Double-spurred Spurfowl
Brown above with pale buff shaft streaks; whitish below with dark brown streaking; red bill; red orbital skin; yellow legs; male with two prominent tarsal spurs diagnostic. West African species; …
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
Double-spurred Spurfowl
A medium Phasianidae spurfowl (~444 g) of West African forests and forest edges from Senegambia to Ghana. Named for the two spurs on each leg. Brown and white-streaked; red facial skin. Inhabits secondary growth and woodland-grassland margins. Feeds on seeds and invertebrates; forages in small groups. Least Concern.
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.