Alticola argentatus
TAXONOMY
Alticola argentatus Severtzov, 1879, Kazakhstan. Nine subspecies are recognized; the taxonomic status of several is unclear.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Head and body length 4.5–7.5 in (12–19 cm); weight 0.7–1.9 oz (20–55 g). Upperparts gray or brown, underparts whitish.
DISTRIBUTION
Central Asia in the Tien Shan mountains.
HABITAT
Alpine scree slopes and other rocky areas.
BEHAVIOR
Both nocturnal and diurnal. It builds large nests among rocks and is also active underneath snow cover during the winter.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Foliage, stems, seeds, and roots. They construct food stores of cut plants that they dry in the sun before caching for the winter months.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Produces 2–3 litters of around five young a year. Reproductive output varies with altitude and higher productivity tends to occur in lower altitude populations.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
