Wildlifeof Nepal
Himalayan Snowcock
Pheasants, Partridges & Quails
Photo: (c) Griha Hasanov, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Tetraogallus himalayensis
Basic stats
Diet
Grass, shoots, berries and seeds
Habitat
Alpine pastures and steep rocky cliffs
Range
Himalayan ranges and parts of the adjoining Pamir
Clutch size
5–12 eggs
Incubation period
About 27–28 days (incubator)
Size
55–74cm
Weight
2–3.1kg
The Himalayan snowcock is a large grey, partridge-like bird, 55 to 74cm long and weighing 2 to 3.1kg. The head pattern resembles that of the chukar: a white throat and sides of the head bordered by a chestnut moustachial stripe, and a broad chestnut band from the eye over the ear into the collar. The upper parts are grey, with the rump and wing feathers bordered rufous (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is found on alpine pastures and steep rocky cliffs, where it will dive down the slopes to escape. It is gregarious outside the breeding season, moving in small groups, and feeds uphill on grass blades, shoots, berries and seeds. Its song is a loud, three-part rising whistle, a familiar sound of the landscape in spring. Five to twelve eggs are laid, incubated by the female alone. Breeding in India is April to June.
Quick answers
- What does the Himalayan Snowcock eat?
- Grass, shoots, berries and seeds
- What habitat does the Himalayan Snowcock live in?
- Alpine pastures and steep rocky cliffs
- Where is the Himalayan Snowcock found?
- Himalayan ranges and parts of the adjoining Pamir
- How many eggs does the Himalayan Snowcock lay?
- 5–12 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Himalayan Snowcock incubated?
- About 27–28 days (incubator)
- How big is the Himalayan Snowcock?
- 55–74cm
- How much does the Himalayan Snowcock weigh?
- 2–3.1kg