Bird Guide

Namaqua Sandgrouse vs Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua)

Namaqua Sandgrouse

Pterocles namaqua

Medium177 gDesert

The sandgrouse is a medium-sized bird with a plump body, small head and short legs. It grows to a length of about 28 centimetres (11 in). The male has an orangish buff head, throat and chest delineated by a conspicuous narrow band of white and dark brown. The back and wings are mottled brown with large white specks and there are two long black filaments extending from the olive-brown tail. The colouring of the female and juvenile is more cryptic being generally various shades of brown patterned with white specks.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: derivative work: Snowmanradio (talk) Pterocles_namaqua_-Kalahari-8.jpg: Chris Eason · CC BY 2.0
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata)

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

Pterocles alchata

Medium276 gGrassland

The pin-tailed sandgrouse is a robust, medium-sized bird about 31 to 39 centimetres (12 to 15 in) in length. The general colouring is cryptic, a blend of barred and flecked olive green, brown, buff, yellow, grey and black. The underparts and the feathered legs are dull white. The sexes are different and the male's plumage varies with the time of year. In the breeding season, the male has the crown, most of the neck, the back and under-wing coverts a yellowish-green colour with dull yellow spots in the shoulder region.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Julien Renoult · CC BY 4.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Namaqua Sandgrouse and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.