Altai Snowcock vs Caucasian Snowcock
Tetraogallus altaicus compared with Tetraogallus caucasicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Altai Snowcock | Caucasian Snowcock |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Tetraogallus altaicus | Tetraogallus caucasicus |
| Order | Galliformes | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae | Phasianidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 56.9 cm (22.4 in) | 51.4 cm (20.2 in) |
| Weight | 2770.0 g (97.71 oz) | 2030.0 g (71.61 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai … | Grazes on alpine herbs, seeds, and grass shoots; also eats berries and invertebrates in Caucasus … |
| Clutch Size | 4-15 | 5-8 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Caucasian Snowcock
Melodious, slightly liquid whistling 'wheee-oo-wheee' from Caucasus alpine rocky terrain; ringing and far-carrying. Flocks coordinate calls across slopes. Alarm is a rapid staccato barking 'kak-kak'.
Geographic Range & Migration
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.
Caucasian Snowcock
Endemic to the Caucasus Mountains; resident of rocky alpine slopes, subalpine meadow, and scree above the treeline, at 2,500–4,000 m.
Conservation Status
Altai Snowcock
Caucasian Snowcock
How to Tell Them Apart
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 …
Caucasian Snowcock
Grey-brown above with buff shaft streaks; white breast and belly; grey breast band; rufous-brown flank streaks; white outer rectrices; face pattern of white cheek with dark ear patch. Sexes alike.
About These Birds
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.
Caucasian Snowcock
A large Phasianidae snowcock (~2.03 kg) endemic to the alpine zones of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus above treeline. White belly and grey back; reddish-orange lateral stripes. Forages on alpine plants, seeds, and invertebrates. Forms small winter flocks that descend slightly in heavy snow. Least Concern.