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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