Red-winged Francolin vs Altai Snowcock
Scleroptila levaillantii compared with Tetraogallus altaicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Red-winged Francolin | Altai Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Scleroptila levaillantii | Tetraogallus altaicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.5 cm (12.8 in) | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) |
| Weight | 448.75 g (15.83 oz) | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) |
| Diet | Forages for seeds, invertebrates, and plant matter in South African grassland and fynbos; scratches soil. | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … |
| Clutch Size | 3-5 | 4-15 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Red-winged Francolin
Ringing, emphatic 'keee-KRAK-keee' call series; S African highland grassland species. Alarm is explosive cackling with flush; rufous wing patches visible in flight. Pairs call antiphonally at dawn.
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
Red-winged Francolin
Resident of highland grassland and montane scrub in eastern South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal to Northern Cape) and Lesotho.
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
Red-winged Francolin
Altai Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
Red-winged Francolin
Brown above with buff shaft streaks; white-streaked dark brown underparts; rufous-chestnut primaries diagnostic in flight; white throat; red bill; red legs in male, yellow in female. Grassland 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
Red-winged Francolin
A medium Phasianidae francolin (~449 g) of montane grassland and open country in eastern and southern Africa. Rufous-red wing patches are conspicuous in flight. Inhabits high-altitude open grassland. Feeds on grass seeds, tubers, and invertebrates. Calls loudly in the morning; forms loose 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.