Himalayan Snowcock

(Tetraogallus himalayensis)

• Avicultural Data
• Images
• Bibliography
• Links

Other Names: Tetraogalle de l'Himalaya (French), Himalaja-Konigshuhn (German), Gimalayskya ular (Russian)

Range: Central Asia, from central and northern Afganistan east through northern Pakistan, northwestern India to Nepal; also in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and eastern China. Has been introduced into Nevada. Some reports state that they are thriving and well established in the Ruby Mountains, others state that they did not establish and less than 200 birds remain there. More info about the American population will be added as more research is done.

Subspecies: There are five races - T. h. sewerzowi, T. h. incognitus, T. h. himalayensis, T. h. koslowi and T. h. grombczewskii.

Habitat: Mountainous areas to 17,000 feet.

Brief Description: Large, overall gray partridge, face and throat white with a brown band below eye extending on to neck forming a collar; upper breast with black streaks; flanks gray streaked with black and white. Females are similar to males, but lack tarsal spurs and have more buff on face.

Status in Wild: Believed to be stable and locally common in some areas.

Avicultural Data

Status in Aviculture: Was formally quite common in American collections and articles show that it did very well in captivity, but whatever the reason (as in the case of many of the less-flashy galliformes) the Himalayan Snowcock is now quite rarely seen.

Breeding Season: Begins late April.

Clutch Size: 4 to 6

Incubation Period: 28 days.

Photo Credits
(l to r): 1, Franηois Bernar.

• Johnsgard, P.A. 1988. The Quails, Partridges, and Francolins of the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
• Kuz'mina, M.A. 1992. Tetraonidae and Phasianidae of the USSR. Smithsonian Institution Libraries, Washington, D.C.
• Madge, S., McGowan, P. 2002. Pheasants, Partridges, and Grouse. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.
• Robbins, G.E.S. 1998. Partridges & Francolins, their Conservation, Breeding & Management. World Pheasant Association.

Links related to this species. Please note, links will open in a new window.

• Himalayan Snowcock - The Oriental Bird Club Image Database.
• Himalayan Snowcock in the Ruby Mountains - Photos and reports of this species in Nevada.
• Wikipedia - Himalayan Snowcock - Wikipedia's species page.