Himalayan snowcock Facts
Himalayan snowcock Facts
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| Interesting Himalayan snowcock Facts: |
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| Himalayan snowcock can reach 22 to 29 inches in length and 4.4 to 6.8 pounds of weight. Males are larger than females. |
| Himalayan snowcock is covered with grey to brownish plumage. Chestnut-colored bands mark the borders of white parts of the head and throat. Lateral sides of the body are streaked with white, brown and black feathers. Bottom part of the tail is white. Females are slightly duller than males. |
| Himalayan snowcock has short, strong beak, long neck, bulky body and rounded wings. Beak is grey-colored, feet and legs are orange. |
| Himalayan snowcock is not able to fly long distances because of its heavy body and rounded wings. When it wants to fly, Himalayan snowcock accelerates toward the highest point of the hill and jumps into the air. It glides through the air and gradually descends to the ground. |
| Himalayan snowcock is diurnal animal (active during the day). |
| Diet of Himalayan snowcock is based mostly on leaves, shoots, seed, fruit and berries. It occasionally eats insects. |
| Himalayan snowcock descends down the slope in the morning and collects the food during the day, on its way back. |
| Himalayan snowcock lives in small groups (flocks) outside the breeding season. Life in the group ensures protection against predators. |
| Natural enemies of Himalayan snowcocks are golden eagles and snow leopards. |
| Himalayan snowcocks produce loud whistles and shrill, piping calls during the spring. They are silent during the winter. |
| Mating season of Himalayan snowcocks takes place from April to June. |
| Males slightly spread their wings, position their bodies close to the ground, raise their tails vertically and start to pursue females as a part of courtship ritual. |
| Himalayan snowcock is ground-nesting bird. Female deposits eggs on the bare ground, lined with grass, twigs and feathers. 5 to 12 olive-green or brown eggs covered with reddish-brown spots hatch after 27 to 28 days. Female uses two brood patches on the thighs to insulate the eggs from the low temperatures and to provide warmth required for the successful development of chicks. Male guards the nest against intruders and together with female participate in rearing of chicks. |
| Young Himalayan snowcocks reach sexual maturity and adult size at the age of 2 years. |
| Lifespan of Himalayan snowcock in the wild is unknown. |
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