Description:

Large non-dimorphic partridge appearing grey above and chestnut below. Has head, neck, upper breast and upperparts finely vermiculated dark brown and white, and with a chestnut wash. Underparts are heavily streaked with chestnut. Bill, legs and feet are red. Blackish primaries and finely barred tail.

Distribution:

Common resident mainly in higher areas of Hunza, Ghizer, Shigar and parts of Astore and Diamer. Inhabits high-altitude grassy, shrubby mountain slopes interspersed with scree, lichens and snow patches. Usually between 3000m and 5500m.

Behavior:

Can be approachable. If flushed or alarmed flies rapidly downhill on whirring and clapping wings. Forages in pairs or small groups of up to ten individuals. Lichen, moss and other plant matter predominates. Seeds, flowers, leaves, shoots and grasses important, as well as herbs; also small amount of animal food.

Photo Gallery:

Range & Occurrence:

Resident Species

Summer Breeder

Winter Visitor

Passage Migrant

Distribution Map of Snow Partridge in Gilgit-Baltistan (Status: )

Seasonal Occurrence of Snow Partridge

Resources:

Birds of Pakistan: Helm Field Guides (R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
The Birds of Pakistan (T. J. Roberts)
Birds of the Indian Subcontinent (C. Inskipp, R. Grimmett & T. Inskipp)
Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide (P. Rasmussen & J. Anderton)
Birds of India: Collins Field Guide (N. Arlott)
Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan (S. Ali & S. D. Ripley)
Handbook of the Birds of the World (https://www.hbw.com)
The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th Edition
iNaturalist BoGB (inaturalist.org/projects/birds-of-gilgit-baltistan)
Birds of Gilgit-Baltistan (http://fb.me/birdsgb)

*Gallery images on this page are shared from flickr.com, and are copyrighted to their respective creators or owners.