Black-bellied Sandgrouse vs Double-banded Sandgrouse

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Pterocles orientalis

Large405 gGrassland

The black-bellied sandgrouse is 33–39 cm (13–15 in) long and weighs 300–615 g (10.6–21.7 oz), it is likely the largest species in the sandgrouse family. The male has a grey head, neck, and breast. The underparts are black and the upperparts are golden-brown with darker markings. There is a thin black border around the lower breast and a chestnut throat patch. This sandgrouse has a small, pigeon-like head and neck, but a stocky compact body. It has long pointed wings and a fast direct flight. The white underwings and black belly make this species easy to identify while in flight.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: mourad-harzallah · CC BY 4.0

Double-banded Sandgrouse

Pterocles bicinctus

Medium237 gGrassland

A moderately-sized, quail-like bird with a plump body, the double-banded sandgrouse has a small, almost pigeon-like head with a long pair of wings and tail. The general colour of the plumage is light brown, with darker mottling and rows of whitish specks; the male is distinguished by having a conspicuous black-and-white band on his forehead, with a chestnut-coloured throat that is delineated by another black-and-white band. Both sexes have an area of bare, yellow skin surrounding their eyeball, and the male has an orange beak. The female is smaller and a more dull-brown in colour.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: lin padgham · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Double-banded Sandgrouse.