Photo: Ogilvie-Grant, WR / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Altai Snowcock
Tetraogallus altaicus
Altai Snowcock (Tetraogallus altaicus) — Gamebirds of Europe & Northern Asia.
The Altai Snowcock (Tetraogallus altaicus) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 2.8 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Galliformes
- Family Phasianidae Pheasants & Allies
- Genus Tetraogallus
- Species altaicus
Where it lives
Montane far northeastern Kazakhstan, southwestern Siberia, northern Xinjiang and western, central Mongolia
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.8 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Altai Snowcock is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Altai Snowcock is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Altai Snowcock (Tetraogallus altaicus) belongs to the Phasianidae family of the order Galliformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL montane far ne Kazakhstan, sw Siberia, n Xinjiang and w, c Mongolia.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.8 kg, with a wing length of about 28.5 cm and a tail of around 16.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 819,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Altai Snowcock?
The Altai Snowcock is a very large bird that weighs around 2.8 kg.
Where does the Altai Snowcock live?
The Altai Snowcock is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL montane far ne Kazakhstan, sw Siberia, n Xinjiang and w, c Mongolia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Altai Snowcock belong to?
The Altai Snowcock (Tetraogallus altaicus) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Altai Snowcock eat?
The Altai Snowcock is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Altai Snowcock migrate?
The Altai Snowcock is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Altai Snowcock endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Altai Snowcock make?
1 real field recording of the Altai Snowcock — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Altai Snowcock's range?
The Altai Snowcock has a mapped global range of about 819,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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