Caspian Snowcock
Tetraogallus caspius
Large, robust gamebird of high mountains from Turkey east to Iran. Gray-brown overall, with white-and-rust streaking on the back and wings. Also note white-and-brown-striped face. Inhabits high, rocky mountains reaches from the forest’s upper limit up to the snowline; sometimes descends to lower elevations in response to severe snowstorms. Song is a loonlike whistling cry that rises and clips off at the end. Also gives high-pitched, somewhat raptor-like calls.
Identification
This snowcock ranges from 56 to 63 cm (22 to 25 in) in length, 95 to 105 cm (37 to 41 in) in wingspan and 1.8 to 2.9 kg (4.0 to 6.4 lb) in weight. Its plumage is patterned with grey, brown, white and black, but this snowcock looks pale gray from any distance. The breast is pale gray, the throat and a white patch on the side of the neck are white, and the nape is dark gray.<p>In flight, this wary bird shows white flight feathers and undertail. Male and female plumages are similar, but juveniles are slightly smaller and duller in appearance. There are three races differing in plumage saturation, becoming paler from west to east.<p>The Caspian snowcock has a desolate whistling song, vaguely like a Eurasian curlew, sooo-looo-leeee. It differs from Caucasian snowcock in that it does not have the drop in pitch at the end of the song shown by that species. The calls include loud cackles and bubbled buck-buck-buck-buck-burrrrrr.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Tetraogallus caspius
- Authority
- (Gmelin, SG, 1784)
- Order
- Galliformes
- Family
- Phasianidae
- Genus
- Tetraogallus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Medium-sized ambush-hunter with a long gray bill with a dark, hooked tip. Black head and face with a white nape and chin. Upperparts very pale gray, with white rump, outer part of wings black, inner part of wings white, and black tail with white tip. Rollicking, chuckling song.
Island Canary
Serinus canaria
Restricted to the Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira. Slightly bigger than European Serin and yellow-green overall with a pale bill, and a dark forked tail. Has a streaky rump, but this can be hard to see. Males are greenish-yellow below while females are duller and grayer on the breast and neck. The song is very melodic and rich. Found in forests, plantations, gardens, and orchards, sometimes gathering in flocks. Introduced to the Midway Atoll, where coloration ranges from unstreaked bright yellow to almost white.
Azure-hooded Jay
Cyanolyca cucullata
Medium-sized, overall blue jay of humid evergreen and pine-evergreen forest in mountains. Usually travels in pairs or small groups, often in association with other jays (including Unicolored), orioles, and toucanets. Forages at all levels, often well hidden in vegetation. Plumage dark blue overall with blacker face and throat bordered by white-framed, azure-blue cap. Juvenile has duller blue cap without white border.
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