Pin-tailed Sandgrouse vs Crowned Sandgrouse
Pterocles alchata compared with Pterocles coronatus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pin-tailed Sandgrouse | Crowned Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles alchata | Pterocles coronatus |
| Order | Pterocliformes | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae | Pteroclidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 38.8 cm (15.3 in) | 38.4 cm (15.1 in) |
| Weight | 308.75 g (10.89 oz) | 280.0 g (9.88 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-4 | 3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse only
Crowned Sandgrouse only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Loud, far-carrying call with resonant quality; powerful notes audible across open arid terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Crowned Sandgrouse
Loud, melodious crowning call; distinctive resonant notes carrying across North African dry open landscape.
Conservation Status
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Crowned Sandgrouse
How to Tell Them Apart
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse: males with white and chestnut belly band; pale sandy above; pin-like elongated tail; green-faced; pallid below
Crowned Sandgrouse
Crowned Sandgrouse: pale sandy-cream; pinkish-orange crown; black facial markings; white belly; sandy above; African-Arabian desert
About These Birds
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
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.
Crowned Sandgrouse
Crowned Sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus) — 26–30 cm. Pale sandy with fine markings; male with orange face and black-and-white forehead pattern; short tail. Inhabits stony and rocky desert from the Sahara through the Middle East to Pakistan. Granivore; highly cryptic against rock and gravel. Drinks at dawn.