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 Türkiye (McGowan 1994).

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I. A network of key sites has been identified across much of the species' range, with some designated as protected areas. However, in Iran at least, only 16-23% of the predicted suitable range overlaps with no-hunting and protected areas (Moradi et al. 2023).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conservation measures should focus on the possible threats caused by human activities, including the development of tourism infrastructure, road networks, overgrazing and poaching (Moradi et al. 2023). Known key sites should be protected, particularly those holding significant populations in Türkiye and Iran. The species does not adapt well to captivity (McGowan et al. 1995).