The Himalayan Snowcock is a very large, pheasant-like species that is native to central and southern Asia. On its native range, they are typically found at very high elevations on mountain slopes, ranging as high as 18,000 feet in the summer, and wintering between 7,000 and 12,000 feet. The species was introduced as a gamebird in the Ruby and East Humboldt Mountains of Nevada beginning in the 1960s, with continued stockings occurring through the 1970s. A small but self-perpetuating population is now established in the area, with an estimated population of between 300-600 birds.
Habitat
The Himalayan Snowcock inhabits high, rocky alpine mountains with steep cliffs, talus slopes, sparse grasslands, and alpine meadows. In North America, it is found only in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada, where a successfully introduced population occupies rugged, high-elevation terrain above the tree line. These birds favor open slopes with scattered grasses and rocky outcrops that provide nesting sites, foraging areas, and protection from predators.
Diet
The Himalayan Snowcock feeds primarily on grasses, sedges, leaves, buds, seeds, and other alpine vegetation. It also consumes bulbs, roots, berries, and occasionally insects and other small invertebrates, especially during the breeding season. Most foraging takes place on rocky slopes and alpine meadows, where birds walk while grazing on available vegetation.
Behavior
Daily routines for the species typically includes walking up mountain slopes during the day while foraging, then flying/gliding back down the mountain to roost for the evening. Foraging is done on the ground.
Nesting
The Himalayan Snowcock are monogomous. They nest on the ground in a shallow scrape concealed among rocks, grasses, or alpine shrubs on steep mountain slopes. The female lines the nest with grasses and feathers and typically lays 5–10 buff-colored eggs marked with brown spots. She performs most or all of the incubation, while the chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and follow the adults as they forage.
Song
The Himalayan Snowcock is a vocal bird that gives loud, clear, whistled calls carrying long distances across mountain valleys. Its most familiar call is a ringing series of rising whistles, often rendered as ko-kok-kok-kok or similar repeated notes, especially at dawn during the breeding season. It also produces softer clucks and contact calls while foraging or communicating within family groups.
Migration
The Himalayan Snowcock is a nonmigratory species that remains in mountainous regions throughout the year. Rather than undertaking long-distance migrations, it makes short elevational movements, descending to lower slopes during periods of deep snow and returning to higher alpine habitats in spring and summer. In the introduced Nevada population, birds show the same seasonal shifts between elevations but remain within the same mountain range year-round.
Interactive eBird Map
Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Himalayan Snowcock sightings
Similar Species
Distinctive, size, structure and plumage make it unlikely to be confused with other species.
Conservation Status
The Himalayan Snowcock is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of its extensive range across the mountains of Central and South Asia and its large, stable population. Although localized hunting and habitat disturbance occur in parts of its range, the species remains widespread in suitable alpine habitats. It is not currently considered globally threatened.
Further Information
Photo Information
May 23rd, 2010 - Almaty region of Kazakhstan - Sergey Yeliseev - Photo licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic license .
