Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size may be moderately small to large, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The European population is estimated at 4,500-10,800 pairs, which equates to 9,100-21,700 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). Europe forms approximately 55% of the global range so a very preliminary estimate of the global population is 16,500-39,500 mature individuals although further validation of this estimate is needed. The population is therefore placed in the band 16,000-39,999 mature individuals.
Trend justification
The population is declining owing to habitat degradation caused by over-grazing and, in Azerbaijan, conflict and also over-hunting throughout much of its range (del Hoyo et al. 1994). The population trend in Europe is unknown (BirdLife International 2015).
The following information refers to the habitats of the European population only. The species uses meadows in the sub-alpine and alpine zones between altitudes of 2,400 and 4,000 m (Tucker and Heath 1994) and occasionally down to 1,800 m. Birds are found on steep slopes lacking snow cover and gorges and crags with patches of snow and some herb and grass cover (McGowan 1994). Birds prefer south-facing slopes in summer and north-facing ones in winter. During winter they avoid areas with a covering of snow and use open ground with steppe-like vegetation instead (Tucker and Heath 1994). Courtship usually begins in April, with laying in late April and May. Typically five to nine eggs are laid (McGowan 1994). Nests are found on steep slopes in the open, beneath overhanging rocks, amongst stones or in tufts of grass (Tucker and Heath 1994). Birds feed exclusively on plant material, particularly legumes, feeding on bulbs, flowers, fruit and seeds (Baziev 1978). The species is mainly sedentary and in some areas does not even descend to lower altitudes during heavy snowfall. However some altitudinal movement has been observed in Turkey (McGowan 1994).
In Europe its alpine habitat is threatened by overgrazing, which is easily reached by shepherds with guns, and with their sheep and dogs. In 1993 most of the species's range in Azerbaijan was suffering with intensive military activity, and it was feared that poaching and the spread of long range firearms could have drastic effects (McGowan et al. 2015).
Conservation Actions Underway
Least Concern (Fuller et al. 2000). Mace-Lande: Vulnerable. CITES I although it is proposed for downgrading to Appendix II (Anon 2012). Included on USSR Red List in 1978. Considered Vulnerable in Turkey (Kirwan et al. 2010), as well as Georgia, where the population, at the edge of the species's range is believed to be very small. The species is found in five Important Bird Areas in Armenia, five in Azerbaijan, four in Georgia and six in Turkey (Anon 2012).
Conservation Actions Proposed
Habitat protection is needed and an extensive survey should aim to locate healthy populations in Turkey. Species does not adapt well to captivity (McGowan et al. 1995).
Text account compilers
Ashpole, J, Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Caspian Snowcock Tetraogallus caspius. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/caspian-snowcock-tetraogallus-caspius on 23/11/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/11/2024.