Pheasants and grouse · Gamebirds
Caucasian Snowcock
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Tetraogallus caucasicus
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Voice
Song
How to recognize it
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50–60 cm long, stocky
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Grey at a distance; white throat and side-neck patch, rusty nape, dark breast and ruddier flanks
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In flight, white flight feathers and undertail, reddish tail sides
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Runs quickly over steep rocky slopes; glides downhill when alarmed
About the species
From a distance, the Caucasian Snowcock looks mostly grey, but close up its plumage shows fine dark and pale bars. A white throat and patch on the side of the neck stand out against a rust-colored nape, while the flanks are warmer brown; in flight, white shows on the wings and beneath the tail. Males and females look much alike.
It spends most of its time on foot, running and bounding over steep slopes, and may glide downhill rather than fly far. A long whistle—"sooo-looo-leeee"—carries over the rocks, along with loud cackling calls. At daybreak it moves downhill to feed, then works its way back up toward its resting sites.
High in the Caucasus, it uses bare, rocky slopes and gullies with patches of low alpine plants. It feeds on leaves, shoots, buds, flowers, and seeds, moving higher in summer and down to lower, snow-free slopes as winter sets in.
Where to find
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On steep, rocky Caucasus slopes, look for the Caucasian Snowcock running between scree patches; when alarmed, it may head for a cliff and glide into a ravine.
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Early in the morning in the high mountains, watch the slope below for feeding: it descends to browse alpine plants, taking leaves, shoots and seeds.
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In winter, scan snow-free patches in the lower alpine belt for feeding among sparse plants.
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From mid-March into April, listen on high mountain slopes for males' courtship song as they call to females.
