Crowned Sandgrouse vs Spotted Sandgrouse

Pterocles coronatus compared with Pterocles senegallus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Crowned Sandgrouse Spotted Sandgrouse
Scientific Name Pterocles coronatus Pterocles senegallus
Order Pterocliformes Pterocliformes
Family Pteroclidae Pteroclidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 38.4 cm (15.1 in) 38.8 cm (15.3 in)
Weight 280.0 g (9.88 oz) 277.8 g (9.80 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 3 3
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Crowned Sandgrouse only

None

Spotted Sandgrouse only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Crowned Sandgrouse

Song

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

Spotted Sandgrouse

Song

Loud, far-carrying territorial call; sharp clucking notes carrying across African spotted sandgrouse open terrain.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Crowned Sandgrouse

Least Concern

Spotted Sandgrouse

How to Tell Them Apart

Crowned Sandgrouse

Plumage

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

Spotted Sandgrouse

Plumage

Spotted Sandgrouse: males with orange face; white-spotted brown above; pale below; square tail; bold orange and white face pattern

About These Birds

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.

Spotted Sandgrouse

Spotted Sandgrouse (Pterocles senegallus) — 32–36 cm. Sandy-buff with fine white spotting on upperparts; orange throat; slender long tail. Inhabits extreme desert, stony plains, and sandy wastes from North Africa through the Middle East to Pakistan and northwest India. Granivore; highly mobile; drinks at dawn and dusk.

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