Tibetan Sandgrouse
Syrrhaptes tibetanus
The Tibetan Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) is a legendary sandgrouse found in 3 countries, weighing about 344 g. The Tibetan sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) is a large bird in the sandgrouse family.
About the Tibetan Sandgrouse
The Tibetan sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) is a large bird in the sandgrouse family. The genus name Syrrhaptes is from Ancient Greek surrhaptos, "sewn together" and tibetanus is from the type locality, Tibet.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Tibetan sandgrouse is about 30–41 cm (12–16 in) long, with a small, pigeon-like head and neck, but sturdy compact body. It has long pointed wings and pin tail. It has an orange face, finely barred grey breast, neck and crown, white belly and black underwings. Male has unspotted buff wing while the female has barred wing coverts, upperparts and upper belly than the male. Juvenile lacks the tail pin, has narrower barrings and has less orange on the face. White belly and dark underwings are distinctions from the related Pallas's sandgrouse, with which its range overlaps.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October, with peak activity in July. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Tibetan Sandgrouse?
- The Tibetan sandgrouse is about 30–41 cm (12–16 in) long, with a small, pigeon-like head and neck, but sturdy compact body. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Tibetan Sandgrouse?
- The Tibetan Sandgrouse is a large sized bird weighing about 344 g.
- Where can you see a Tibetan Sandgrouse?
- The Tibetan Sandgrouse occurs in 3 countries, including India, China and Tajikistan.
- What birds look similar to a Tibetan Sandgrouse?
- The Tibetan Sandgrouse is most easily confused with the Pallas's Sandgrouse.
- Is the Tibetan Sandgrouse endangered?
- The Tibetan Sandgrouse is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Tibetan Sandgrouse for real
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