Burchell's Sandgrouse vs Crowned Sandgrouse

Pterocles burchelli compared with Pterocles coronatus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Burchell's Sandgrouse Crowned Sandgrouse
Scientific Name Pterocles burchelli Pterocles coronatus
Order Pterocliformes Pterocliformes
Family Pteroclidae Pteroclidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 31.8 cm (12.5 in) 38.4 cm (15.1 in)
Weight 184.4 g (6.50 oz) 280.0 g (9.88 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Burchell's Sandgrouse only

Crowned Sandgrouse only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Burchell's Sandgrouse

Song

Melodic, pure cooing phrase; gentle notes with warm quality carrying across open European 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

Burchell's Sandgrouse

Least Concern

Crowned Sandgrouse

How to Tell Them Apart

Burchell's Sandgrouse

Plumage

Burchell's Sandgrouse: spotted sandy-brown above; white-and-chestnut patterned underparts; orange-spotted; southern 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

Burchell's Sandgrouse

Burchell's Sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli) — 24–27 cm. Pale pinkish-buff with white spots on upperparts; male with chestnut belly. Endemic to the Kalahari and arid southern Africa in open Acacia and Terminalia woodland. Granivore; highly mobile; drinks at sunrise.

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.

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