Description:

Very large partridge with white head and throat, fine black and white stripes down grey underparts. Broad dark chestnut stripes down sides of neck which join to form band across upper breast, greyish-white breast (variably barred with black) contrasting strongly with dark grey underparts.

Distribution:

Common resident and partial altitudinal migrant all across Gilgit-Baltistan. Found in alpine meadows and open, rocky hillsides above treeline with scattered bushes and grasses, ferns and lichens. Usually between 3000m and 5500m.

Behavior:

In the morning flies downhill to drink, then works back up on foot. Moves uphill slowly during the day, foraging by raking the ground and digging with bill. Forms small flocks during non-breeding season. Feeds predominantly on bulbous roots and tubers, berries, grasses, sedges, shoots and leaves. Seeding grass heads form staple diet.

Photo Gallery:

Range & Occurrence:

Resident Species

Summer Breeder

Winter Visitor

Passage Migrant

Distribution Map of Himalayan Snowcock in Gilgit-Baltistan (Status: )

Seasonal Occurrence of Himalayan Snowcock

Resources:

Birds of Pakistan: Helm Field Guides (R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
The Birds of Pakistan (T. J. Roberts)
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (C. Inskipp, R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide (P. Rasmussen & J. Anderton)
Birds of India: Collins Field Guide (N. Arlott)
Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (S. Ali & S. D. Ripley)
Handbook of the Birds of the World (https://www.hbw.com)
The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition
iNaturalist BoGB (inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-gilgit-baltistan)
Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan (http://fb.me/birdsgb)

*Gallery images on this page are shared from flickr.com, and are copyrighted to their respective creators or owners.