Black-faced Sandgrouse vs Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Pterocles decoratus compared with Pterocles exustus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-faced Sandgrouse | Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles decoratus | Pterocles exustus |
| Order | Pterocliformes | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae | Pteroclidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.2 cm (12.7 in) | 35.0 cm (13.8 in) |
| Weight | 180.83333333333334 g (6.38 oz) | 211.5 g (7.46 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Loud, carrying call with resonant quality; deep notes carrying well across dry open terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
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
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Black-faced Sandgrouse: males with black-white face pattern; sandy-brown above; chestnut belly band; dimorphic; East African species
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: males with chestnut belly; sandy above; black belly spot; narrow white stripe; pin-tipped tail; dimorphic
About These Birds
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Black-faced Sandgrouse (Pterocles decoratus) — 24–28 cm. Brown and buff barred pattern; male with distinctive black-and-white facial mask; short tail. Inhabits dry bush and open semi-arid country in East Africa from Somalia to Tanzania. Granivore; gregarious drinker.
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.