Double-banded Sandgrouse vs Crowned Sandgrouse

Pterocles bicinctus compared with Pterocles coronatus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Double-banded Sandgrouse Crowned Sandgrouse
Scientific Name Pterocles bicinctus Pterocles coronatus
Order Pterocliformes Pterocliformes
Family Pteroclidae Pteroclidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 34.1 cm (13.4 in) 38.4 cm (15.1 in)
Weight 233.8 g (8.25 oz) 280.0 g (9.88 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 3
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Double-banded Sandgrouse only

None

Crowned Sandgrouse only

Song & Call Comparison

Double-banded Sandgrouse

Song

Deep, resonant cooing call; rich notes with gentle quality carrying across open African terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Crowned Sandgrouse

Song

Loud, melodious crowning call; distinctive resonant notes carrying across North African dry open landscape.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Double-banded Sandgrouse

Least Concern

Crowned Sandgrouse

How to Tell Them Apart

Double-banded Sandgrouse

Plumage

Double-banded Sandgrouse: two dark belly bands; sandy-brown above; dimorphic; males with black-white forehead; African species

Crowned Sandgrouse

Plumage

Crowned Sandgrouse: pale sandy-cream; pinkish-orange crown; black facial markings; white belly; sandy above; African-Arabian desert

About These Birds

Double-banded Sandgrouse

Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) — 24–28 cm. Brown and buff; male with two bold black-and-white breast bands; fine barring above. Inhabits open dry woodland and savanna of southern Africa. Granivore; forms small flocks; drinks nocturnally at waterholes. Male belly-soaks for 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.

More Birds to Explore