General Description: Himalayan Snowcocks (Tetraogallus himalayensis) are very large, gray-brown ground birds (pheasants) with a gray neck and white face outlined with black stripes. Snowcocks would rather walk than fly, but they are extremely strong fliers.

Taxonomy: Galliformes, Phasianidae, Phasianinae

Favored Habitat: High rocky mountains in Asia, but the Ruby Mountains of northeastern Nevada will do.

Where to Find: Don't look for Himalayan Snowcocks around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them in the Ruby Mountains just south of Elko, Nevada. The easiest place to find them is atop the cliffs high above and west of Island Lake in Lamoille Canyon. Climb as high as you can before dawn breaks, then listen for their clucking as the first rays of the sun hit the highest peaks. Expect them to fly down from the cliffs and land on the steep, grassy slopes below the vertical cliffs.

Comments: Himalayan Snowcocks are Asian pheasants introduced for hunting.