Photo: Griha Hasanov / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Himalayan Snowcock
Tetraogallus himalayensis
Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) — Gamebirds of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a member of the Phasianidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 2.4 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 himalayensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.4 kg
- Diet
- Plant-eaters
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Order
- Galliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Himalayan Snowcock feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Himalayan Snowcock is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family, part of the order Galliformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL Himalayas.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.4 kg, with a wing length of about 28 cm and a tail of around 15.3 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Himalayan Snowcock?
The Himalayan Snowcock is a very large bird that weighs around 2.4 kg.
Where does the Himalayan Snowcock live?
The Himalayan Snowcock is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL Himalayas, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Himalayan Snowcock belong to?
The Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) belongs to the Phasianidae family, in the order Galliformes.
What does the Himalayan Snowcock eat?
The Himalayan Snowcock feeds mainly on plant material such as leaves, buds and shoots.
Does the Himalayan Snowcock migrate?
The Himalayan Snowcock is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Himalayan 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 Himalayan Snowcock make?
1 real field recording of the Himalayan 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 Himalayan Snowcock's range?
The Himalayan Snowcock has a mapped global range of about 1.9 million 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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