a snowcock in the pheasant family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes, gallinaceous birds
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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.
