Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
DesertScrapeMedium · 263 g
ID tip
The spotted sandgrouse reaches a length of about 33 centimetres (13 in). The male has a small reddish-brown nape surrounded by a band of pale grey that extends to the bill and round the neck in a collar. The chin, neck and throat are orange and the breast grey. The upper parts are pinkish-grey with dark flight feathers and dark patches on the wings, tail and lower belly. The primaries are pale with dark trailing edges, a fact that distinguishes this species from the crowned sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus) which has completely dark primaries.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Spotted Sandgrouse
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 9 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is March, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Spotted Sandgrouse
The map shades 14 countries with regular records, and 3 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia.
About the Spotted Sandgrouse
The spotted sandgrouse is a species of ground dwelling bird in the family Pteroclidae. It is found in arid regions of northern and eastern Africa and across the Middle East and parts of Asia as far east as northwest India. It is a gregarious, diurnal bird and small flocks forage for seed and other vegetable matter on the ground, flying once a day to a waterhole for water. In the breeding season pairs nest apart from one another, the eggs being laid in a depression on the stony ground. The chicks leave the nest soon after hatching and eat dry seed, the water they need being provided by the male which saturates its belly feathers with water at the waterhole.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Lichtenstein's SandgrousePterocles lichtensteiniiLichtenstein's sandgrouse is a small, stocky sandgrouse about 25 cm (9.8 in) long and weighing 175–250 g (6.2–8.8 oz).
Painted SandgrousePterocles indicusThe painted sandgrouse is a plump ground-dwelling bird with a small head and short legs.
Yellow-throated SandgrousePterocles gutturalisThe species has long and pointed wings adapted to fly over long distances.
Side by side: Black-faced Sandgrouse vs Spotted Sandgrouse · Burchell's Sandgrouse vs Spotted Sandgrouse · Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse vs Spotted Sandgrouse · Painted Sandgrouse vs Spotted Sandgrouse · Spotted Sandgrouse vs Yellow-throated Sandgrouse
Learn the Spotted Sandgrouse in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.