This order of birds contains one family, the Pteroclidae, with about 16 species of sandgrouse.

Sandgrouse are medium-sized, ground-dwelling birds found in Africa, Europe, and Asia, mostly in dry, open habitats like deserts and grasslands.

They are known for their strong, fast flight and for traveling long distances to find water.

A special feature of sandgrouse is that the males soak their belly feathers with water at a watering hole, then fly back to their chicks so the young can drink directly from the wet feathers. This unique adaptation helps them survive in very dry environments.