Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Pterocles alchata
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<birdfyi-bird slug="pterocles-alchata"></birdfyi-bird>About
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) — 31–39 cm (plus tail pins). Boldly marked; male with chestnut and green breast bands; white belly; long pin-like central tail feathers. Inhabits arid steppe, dry grassland, and cultivation from Spain to Central Asia and Pakistan. Granivore; highly gregarious. Males carry water in belly feathers to chicks.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 38.8 cm | 15.3 in |
| Weight | 308.75 g | 10.89 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse: males with white and chestnut belly band; pale sandy above; pin-like elongated tail; green-faced; pallid below
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: SC. Incubation: 19-25 days. Fledging: 25-28 days.
Clutch Size
2-4
Sound
Song
Loud, far-carrying call with resonant quality; powerful notes audible across open arid terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pterocliformes (Sandgrouse) |
| Family | Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse) |
| Genus | Pterocles |
| Species | Pterocles alchata |
Distribution
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse has been recorded in 2 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse endangered?
How does the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse nest?
What does the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse sound like?
How big is the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse?
What order and family does the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Pteroclidae family