Double-banded Sandgrouse vs Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Pterocles bicinctus compared with Pterocles orientalis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Double-banded Sandgrouse Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Scientific Name Pterocles bicinctus Pterocles orientalis
Order Pterocliformes Pterocliformes
Family Pteroclidae Pteroclidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 34.1 cm (13.4 in) 45.6 cm (18.0 in)
Weight 233.8 g (8.25 oz) 427.5 g (15.08 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 2-3
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Double-banded Sandgrouse only

None

Black-bellied 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.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Song

Loud, carrying call with resonant quality; deep notes carrying well across open dry terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Double-banded Sandgrouse

Least Concern

Black-bellied 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

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Plumage

Black-bellied Sandgrouse: males with black belly; sandy-spotted above; chestnut and black neck bands; white flanks; very dimorphic

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.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) — 32–37 cm. Large; male: chestnut and grey upperparts; black belly; chestnut throat. Inhabits open steppe, semi-desert, and dry farmland from the Canary Islands through the Middle East to Central Asia and northwest India. Granivore; partially migratory. Male belly-soaks to carry water for chicks.

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