Where do Himalayan Snowcocks live?

Where do snowcocks live in the US?

They were introduced in the mountains of Nevada in the United States in the 1960s and a wild population has established in the Ruby Mountains . The Himalayan snowcock is a large grey partridge-like bird, 55–74 cm (22–29 in) in length and weighing 2–3.1 kg (4.4–6.8 lb).

Where can I find a Himalayan snowcock?

Himalayan snowcock. The Himalayan snowcock ( Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a snowcock in the pheasant family Phasianidae found across the Himalayan ranges and parts of the adjoining Pamir range of Asia. It is found on alpine pastures and on steep rocky cliffs where they will dive down the hill slopes to escape.

What do Himalayan snowcocks eat?

Himalayan snowcocks are gregarious when not breeding, moving around in small groups. Several groups may inhabit the same hill. They keep entirely to open country and seem to prefer rocky hill-sides. They feed on grass, shoots, berries and seeds.

What do snowcocks do in the mountains?

Himalayan snowcocks are gregarious when not breeding, moving around in small groups. Several groups may inhabit the same hill. They keep entirely to open country and seem to prefer rocky hill-sides. They feed on grass, shoots, berries and seeds. In the mornings the birds fly downhill to drink water.

How many snowcocks per year?

Past reported snowcock harvest has ranged between 2 and 23 birds annually and has averaged approximately 8 birds per year since 1980. The catch per unit of effort for the 2016 season was similar to the 2015 season Click to expand… Was the “s” silent?! Almost Arkansas…..

What is the history of the snowcock in Nevada?

In the early 1960’s, the Nevada Division of Wildlife received a handful of Himalayan Snowcock from their home range in the Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan. This was part of a project by the Nevada Division of Wildlife to release and establish game bird populations in areas of Nevada that, at the time, did not have any game birds in them.

What is the most difficult snowcock Hunt in North America?

This is the story of the majority of snowcock hunters, as this hunt has the lowest success rates of not only upland species hunts but for any hunt in North America. The Himalayan Snowcock hunt is truly one of the toughest hunts you can attempt.

Where is the Himalayan snowcock?

Going into this fall, the upland trip that had me the most worried, was heading into the Ruby mountains of Nevada in search of the extremely elusive Himalayan Snowcock.

Where can I find the Himalayan snowcock?

In Nevada, the Himalayan Snowcock is found only at the highest elevations in the Ruby Mountains, southeast of Elko. A hardy bird, the Snowcock lives at elevations around 10,000 feet, and is fond of steep, barren hillsides and boulder-strewn high altitude meadows.

How big do Himalayan snowcock birds get?

The Himalayan snowcock is an unusual and pretty bird. They are quite large for game birds, weighing between 4 and 7 pounds and measuring about 22 to 29 inches in length ( Nevada Department of Wildlife, 2018). Their feathers are generally gray, white, and tan.

What is a snowcock?

The Mysterious Mountain Bird from the Himalayas replanted in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada known as a Snowcock. There aren’t many birds that can stand up to the rough conditions that high alpine meadows and mountain slopes offer, but the Himalayan snowcock ( Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a champion among them.

What is the best habitat for the Himalayan snowcock?

The best habitat for the Himalayan snowcock consists of high alpine meadows above the tree line where they can forage and raise their chicks. Typically, these meadows are located at elevations between 9,000 and 11,000 feet, though the birds can be found up to 16,000 feet.

What do Himalayan snowcock feed on?

These small groups of Himalayan snowcock often feed together throughout the day and slowly move upslope as they forage on roots, tubers, and seeds (ibid). At the end of the day, the birds often take flight and glide downslope to a safe place to roost for the night.

What kind of bird is a Himalayan snowcock?

The Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a snowcock in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. More Himalayan Snowcock: Native of Asia and introduced to the Ruby Mountians in Nevada.

What do snowcock families do in the fall?

Family groups may stick together throughout the fall hunting season and some of the winter. These small groups of Himalayan snowcock often feed together throughout the day and slowly move upslope as they forage on roots, tubers, and seeds (ibid).

How do snowcocks fly?

Snowcocks are heavy birds and are unable to fly far with flapping flight. Instead they run to a high point, launch themselves into the air and glide, gradually losing altitude. They are to be found on open slopes above the tree line where they feed on leaves, shoots, roots, fruits, berries and insects.

How many birds do you catch per hunter day?

The number of birds observed per hunter day was down from last year’s observations, but still above average. Past reported snowcock harvest has ranged between 2 and 23 birds annually and has averaged approximately 8 birds per year since 1980. The catch per unit of effort for the 2016 season was similar to the 2015 season Click to expand…

What kind of bird is a snowcock?

The snowcocks or snowfowl are a group of bird species in the genus Tetraogallus of the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are ground-nesting birds that breed in the mountain ranges of southern Eurasia from the Caucasus to the Himalayas and western China.

Where can I find a Himalayan snowcock in Nevada?

Travis Warren of UpChukar with a successful Himalayan Snowcock hunt in the Ruby Mountains during the making of a Project Upland Original Film. As mentioned above, they are only found in Nevada—specifically Elko and White Pine county.

Is it possible to kill a snow cock?

Secretive and shy, finding a snow cock is a real challenge, and killing one is just short of a miracle. There are more stories about failures experienced in the pursuit of these birds than successes.

What would you hunt in North America?

Ron Spomer Into every life a little rain must fall, so offset it with epic hunting adventures. The North American continent retains wild beasts aplenty in open, wild country like the Mountain Men enjoyed 200 years ago. Towering mountains, gnarly canyons, expansive grasslands and deep forests.

What birds live in the forest zone of the Great Himalayas?

Snow Partridge, Hill Partridge and Himalayan Snowcock also occur. The upper part of the forest zone is the haunt of the Great Himalayan National Park’s most famous birds, the Monal, Koklass and Western Tragopan pheasants. The area contains an important concentration of the Western Tragopan, which prefers areas…

What is a Himalayan snowcock?

The Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a snowcock in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds. It is endemic to the Himalayan Mountains of Pakistan, where it breeds at altitudes from 3600–5100 m on bare stony mountains.

Where can you hunt Himalayan snowcock in Nevada?

As mentioned above, they are only found in Nevada—specifically Elko and White Pine county. Prior to hunting Himalayan snowcock, you need to get a snowcock hunting free-use permit, which is available online at www.ndowlicensing.com. Hunting these amazing birds is certainly a test of your physical strength and endurance.

What does a snowcock nest look like?

Himalayan snowcock nests consist of a simple depression scraped into the ground ( National Audubon Society, 2018). The nest site should be sheltered from the wind by some kind of structure like bunches of grass or rocks. On average, females lay four to six buff or gray eggs spotted with rust colored dots.

What do snowcocks eat?

Snowcocks feed mainly on plant material. Snowcocks are bulky, long-necked, long-bodied partridge -like birds. Males and females are generally similar in appearance but females tend to be slightly smaller and rather duller in colouration than males.

Is the Himalayan snowcock the best snowcock?

There aren’t many birds that can stand up to the rough conditions that high alpine meadows and mountain slopes offer, but the Himalayan snowcock ( Tetraogallus himalayensis) is a champion among them.