Burchell's Sandgrouse vs Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Pterocles burchelli compared with Pterocles exustus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Burchell's Sandgrouse Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Scientific Name Pterocles burchelli Pterocles exustus
Order Pterocliformes Pterocliformes
Family Pteroclidae Pteroclidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 31.8 cm (12.5 in) 35.0 cm (13.8 in)
Weight 184.4 g (6.50 oz) 211.5 g (7.46 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Burchell's Sandgrouse only

Chestnut-bellied 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.

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Song

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

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Burchell's Sandgrouse

Least Concern

Chestnut-bellied 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

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Plumage

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: males with chestnut belly; sandy above; black belly spot; narrow white stripe; pin-tipped tail; dimorphic

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.

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus) — 30–35 cm. Sandy above; male with chestnut belly patch; slender pointed tail. Widespread in arid and semi-arid zones from West Africa to India; also the Middle East and Horn of Africa. Granivore; colonial drinker at waterholes. Male carries water in belly feathers.

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