Annamite Crested Argus vs Altai Snowcock
Rheinardia ocellata compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Annamite Crested Argus | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rheinardia ocellata | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.1 cm (26.4 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 1500.0 g (52.91 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Forages on leaf litter for fallen fruits, seeds, invertebrates, and small animals; uses feet to … | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Annamite Crested Argus
Loud, mournful 'kow-WEE' whistling cries from Vietnam rainforest floor; haunting and fox-like. Males call from log or elevated perch. Alarm is explosive cackle. One of world's rarest galliform voices.
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
Annamite Crested Argus
Resident of dense montane forest in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam, above 400 m; extremely secretive.
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
Annamite Crested Argus
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Annamite Crested Argus
Brown and buff intricately patterned with ocelli; long broad graduated tail with dark ocellated spots; white-streaked dark crest; bare blue facial skin. Sexes similar but male with much longer tail.
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
Annamite Crested Argus
One of the most spectacular Phasianidae birds (~1.5 kg), endemic to evergreen forests of Vietnam and Laos. Males possess extraordinary elongated brown-spotted tail feathers. Performs a solitary lekking display on cleared forest arenas. Feeds on fallen fruits and invertebrates. Critically Endangered from deforestation.
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.