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).
The head pattern has a resemblance to that of the smaller and well marked chukar partridge.
The white throat and sides of the head are bordered by chestnut moustachial stripe and a dark broad chestnut band stretching from the eye over the ear, expanding into the collar.
The upper parts are grey, with feathers of the rump and the wings are bordered with rufous.
The upper breast is grey with dark crescent bars.
The lower breast plumage is dark grey, and the sides of the body are streaked with black, chestnut and white.
The undertail coverts are white.
The legs and orbital skin are yellow.
Sexes are alike in plumage, but the female is smaller and lacks the large tarsal spur of the male.
In flight, from above, the white primaries tipped in black and the rufous outer tail feathers make it distinctive.
The Tibetan snowcock has a wing pattern with white trailing edge to the secondaries that contrasts with the grey wings.
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). The head pattern has a resemblance to that of the smaller and well marked chukar partridge. The white throat and sides of the head are bordered by chestnut moustachial stripe and a dark broad chestnut band stretching from the eye over the ear, expanding into the collar. The upper parts are grey, with feathers of the rump and the wings are bordered with rufous. The upper breast is grey with dark crescent bars. The lower breast plumage is dark grey, and the sides of the body are streaked with black, chestnut and white. The undertail coverts are white. The legs and orbital skin are yellow. Sexes are alike in plumage, but the female is smaller and lacks the large tarsal spur of the male. In flight, from above, the white primaries tipped in black and the rufous outer tail feathers make it distinctive. The Tibetan snowcock has a wing pattern with white trailing edge to the secondaries that contrasts with the grey wings.
Himalayan snowcock