- Tetraogallus caucasicus
Identification
52–56 cm (20½-22 in)
- Grey, brown, white and black plumage (but appears grey)
- Darker breast
- Ruddy flanks
- White throat
- White patch on side of neck
- Rusty nape
- White flight feathers and undertail
- Red sides to tail, shows in flight
Sexes similar
Juvenile: smaller and duller
Distribution
Middle East: and Asia Found on the rocky heights of the Caucasus Mountains in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Stony mountain slopes, near to forests at heights between 2000-4000m.
Behaviour
Breeding
The nest is a ground scrape. The 5-6 greenish eggs are incubated by the female.
Diet
Their mainly vegetarian diet consists of leaves, fruits, stems and tubers.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avibase
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved April 2019)
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Caucasian Snowcock. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 18 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Caucasian_Snowcock
