Black-faced Sandgrouse vs Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
Pterocles decoratus compared with Pterocles lichtensteinii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-faced Sandgrouse | Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles decoratus | Pterocles lichtensteinii |
| 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) | 211.25 g (7.45 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| 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.
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
Loud, carrying call with resonant quality; deep notes audible across open dry arid terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Lichtenstein's 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
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse: finely vermiculated sandy-brown; pale below with thin barring; square tail; Arabian-African desert species
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.
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) — 22–25 cm. Small; heavily barred black-and-buff pattern; rounded tail; nocturnal drinker. Inhabits rocky desert and semi-arid scrub from North Africa through the Middle East to Pakistan and northwest India. Granivore; mostly crepuscular and nocturnal — unusual among sandgrouse.