Wildlife
Himalayan Snowcock Guide: High Altitude Bird of the Rock Zones
The Himalayan snowcock lives above 3,500 m on rocky alpine slopes that most trekkers never reach. Its whistling calls echo across boulder fields on the highest Himalayan passes.
Overview
The Himalayan snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a large, partridge-like bird of rocky high-alpine terrain between 3,500 and 5,500 m altitude. It is the highest-altitude gamebird in the world, regularly recorded near the snow line and on rocky moraines above glacier zones. Adults are grey-brown above with a white face and throat bordered by rufous, and weigh up to 3.4 kg -- one of the heaviest members of the pheasant family.
Where to Find Them
The rocky slopes above Thorong La (5,416 m) on the Annapurna Circuit are reliable snowcock territory. The birds are most visible in the early morning when they move up from overnight resting sites in rocky gullies to feed on alpine vegetation. Groups of three to eight birds are common from July to November when trekkers are present.
The Kala Patthar area (5,545 m) near Everest Base Camp and the rocky terrain around Gokyo Ri (5,357 m) also hold snowcocks. The high-altitude section of the Kangchenjunga trek above the Pangpema base camp (5,040 m) is another reliable location in the east.
Behaviour Notes
Snowcocks walk uphill in the morning and fly downhill in the afternoon -- a daily routine shaped by their need to warm up in morning sun on south-facing slopes. Their call is a loud, carrying whistle that can be heard from 500 metres on windless days.
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FAQ
Can I see Himalayan snowcocks without going above 4,000 m?
It is uncommon but not impossible. Birds occasionally descend to 3,200 to 3,500 m in heavy winter snowfall, bringing them within range of the Ghorepani-Poon Hill area. The reliable viewing elevation is 4,000 m and above.
Is the Himalayan snowcock hunted?
The species was historically hunted and is still a legal game bird in parts of its range in Pakistan and China. In Nepal it is protected under wildlife law and hunting is prohibited.
What does a snowcock eat at 5,000 m?
Snowcocks feed on alpine vegetation -- grasses, sedges, lichen, tubers, and invertebrates. In summer they eat fresh shoots of high-altitude plants. In winter they scrape through snow to find dried vegetation.
