Swierstra's Spurfowl vs Altai Snowcock

Pternistis swierstrai verglichen mit Tetraogallus altaicus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Merkmal Swierstra's Spurfowl Altai Snowcock
Wissenschaftlicher Name Pternistis swierstrai Tetraogallus altaicus
Ordnung Galliformes Galliformes
Familie Phasianidae Phasianidae
Erhaltungsstatus Vulnerable Least Concern
Länge
Flügelspannweite 35,8 cm (14.1 in) 56,9 cm (22.4 in)
Gewicht 470,0 g (16.58 oz) 2770,0 g (97.71 oz)
Ernährung Omnivorous; eats seeds, invertebrates, and plant material in Angolan Afromontane forest and grassland. Feeds on alpine grasses, seeds, berries, and shoots; digs for roots and bulbs in Altai …
Gelegegröße -- 4-15
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Gemeinsame Lebensräume

Swierstra's Spurfowl only

Altai Snowcock only

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Song & Call Comparison

Swierstra's Spurfowl

Gesang

Loud, emphatic 'krak-KRAK' calls from Angolan montane forest; medium-sized spurfowl with slightly nasal quality. Alarm is rapid cackling cackle. Pairs call in duet at dawn from forest understorey.

Altai Snowcock

Gesang

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

Swierstra's Spurfowl

Endemic to the highlands of central Angola (Huambo and Bié Plateaus); resident of montane grassland and open miombo woodland above 1,500 m.

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.

Erhaltungsstatus

Vulnerable

Swierstra's Spurfowl

Least Concern

Altai Snowcock

How to Tell Them Apart

Swierstra's Spurfowl

Gefieder

Brown above with pale buff streaks; white underparts with dark brown streaking; red bill; red legs; bare red skin around eye. Sexes similar; restricted to highlands of central Angola; rare …

Altai Snowcock

Gefieder

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

Swierstra's Spurfowl

A medium Phasianidae spurfowl (~470 g) restricted to montane forest and forest edge in the highlands of central Angola. Little known; detected mainly by vocalisations. Feeds on seeds, fruits, and invertebrates. Vulnerable from ongoing deforestation in Angolan highlands and limited range of under-surveyed montane forests.

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.

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