Himalayan snowcock

The big bird of the snow line

The snowcock looks like a chicken but is much bigger — a true mountain bird. It lives among snow and rocks at 3,000 metres! In the morning it glides down from the peaks and spends all day walking back up. Its call is a strange whistle that echoes through the gorges.

The Himalayan snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is one of the largest pheasants (up to 3 kg), found in the Tian Shan, Pamir and Himalayas at 2,500–5,000 m; in Uzbekistan in the Ugam-Chatkal and Hissar mountains. A poor flier: it glides downhill and walks back up. Its grey-white plumage blends with rock and snow. Its routine is strict: morning — glide down; day — forage for roots and seeds while climbing; evening — roost on the summit. It moves lower in winter. The population is stable, though hunting and grazing add pressure.

Fun facts

• The snowcock only flies downhill — it walks back up every day.
• This bird has been seen on the slopes of Everest at 5,000 m.
• A snowcock's whistle carries 2 km.