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Pteroclidae - Sandgrouse

There are 16 species in this family. Sandgrouse are found in dry, open areas such as deserts and grasslands in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe.

They are medium-sized birds with short legs, pointed wings, and strong bodies built for fast, long-distance flight.

Sandgrouse are known for their special way of carrying water. Males soak the feathers on their bellies in water and then fly back to their chicks, who drink the water straight from the feathers.

They usually feed on seeds and often gather in large flocks. Their sandy-colored feathers help them blend into their dry surroundings, protecting them from predators.

  • The pin-tailed sandgrouse is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East and western Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pin-Tailed Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles alchata)
    The pin-tailed sandgrouse is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East and western Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The double-banded sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Double-Banded Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles bicinctus)
    The double-banded sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Burchell's sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Burchell's Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles burchelli)
    Burchell's sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The crowned sandgrouse is found in Afghanistan, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara, Yemen, and Jordan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Crowned Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles coronatus)
    The crowned sandgrouse is found in Afghanistan, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara, Yemen, and Jordan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-faced sandgrouse is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Black-Faced Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles decoratus)
    The black-faced sandgrouse is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The chestnut-bellied sandgrouse is found in across Africa and Asia. and the Middle East
    Chestnut-Bellied Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles exustus)
    The chestnut-bellied sandgrouse is found in across Africa and Asia. and the Middle East
  • The yellow-throated sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Yellow-Throated Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles gutturalis)
    The yellow-throated sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Painted Sandgrouse is found in India and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Painted Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles indicus)
    The Painted Sandgrouse is found in India and Pakistan. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Lichtenstein's sandgrouse is found in Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Iraq; Senegal; Uganda, Afghanistan, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles lichtensteinii)
    Lichtenstein's sandgrouse is found in Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Iraq; Senegal; Uganda, Afghanistan, and Yemen. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Namaqua sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Namaqua Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles namaqua)
    The Namaqua sandgrouse is found in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The black-bellied sandgrouse is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, Asia, and h Middle East.
    Black-Bellied Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles orientalis)
    The black-bellied sandgrouse is found in southern Europe, northern Africa, Asia, and h Middle East.
  • The Madagascar sandgrouse is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concen
    Madagascar Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles personatus)
    The Madagascar sandgrouse is found in Madagascar. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concen
  • The four-banded sandgrouse is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Sierra Leone. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Four-Banded Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles quadricinctus)
    The four-banded sandgrouse is found in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, and Sierra Leone. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The spotted sandgrouse is found in northern Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Spotted Sandgrouse
    (Pterocles senegallus)
    The spotted sandgrouse is found in northern Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Asia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • Pallas's sandgrouse is found in China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
    Pallas's Sandgrouse
    (Syrrhaptes paradoxus)
    Pallas's sandgrouse is found in China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, and Russia. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
  • The Tibetan sandgrouse is found in
    Tibetan Sandgrouse
    (Syrrhaptes tibetanus)
    The Tibetan sandgrouse is found in

Did You Know?

painted sandgrouse
The painted sandgrouse is a member of this family.

World Status Key

Status and range is taken from IUCN Redlist

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct
Not Enough Data

U.S. Status Key

Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife

Threatened in US
Endangered in US
Introduced

NH Status Key

Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Threatened in NH
Endangered in NH
Breeds in NH (birds)

Location Key

Africa
Asia
Australia/Oceania
Europe
North/Central America
south america alt
South America

New Hampshire Species

No animals found.

Other Species Around the World

No animals found.

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