Caspian snowcock

The Caspian snowcock, a member of the pheasant family Phasianidae and the order Galliformes, is a fascinating bird predominantly found in the mountainous regions of eastern Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Alborz Mountains in Northern Iran. These birds prefer high-altitude breeding grounds, typically ranging from 1,800 to 3,000 meters, where they flourish on rocky terrain interspersed with alpine scrub.

When nesting, the female Caspian snowcock deposits between 6 to 9 greenish eggs in a simple ground scrape. Their diet primarily consists of seeds and plant matter, and outside the breeding season, they frequently form small flocks.

The Caspian snowcock measures approximately 56 to 63 cm in length, with a wingspan of 95 to 105 cm, and weighs between 1.8 to 2.9 kg. Their plumage is a blend of grey, brown, white, and black, which from a distance appears pale gray. They feature a pale gray breast, a white throat, a white patch on the sides of the neck, and a dark gray nape. During flight, their white flight feathers and undertail become visible. Both males and females exhibit similar plumage, whereas juveniles are slightly smaller and possess duller colors. There are three distinct subspecies of the Caspian snowcock, each varying slightly in plumage saturation from west to east.

One of the most distinctive features of the Caspian snowcock is its whistling song, which closely resembles the call of a Eurasian curlew, described as "sooo-looo-leeee." Unlike the Caucasian snowcock, the Caspian snowcock’s song does not descend in pitch at the end. They also produce loud cackles and bubbling sounds, such as "buck-buck-buck-buck-burrrrrr."