Black-faced Sandgrouse vs Four-banded Sandgrouse
Pterocles decoratus compared with Pterocles quadricinctus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-faced Sandgrouse | Four-banded Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles decoratus | Pterocles quadricinctus |
| Order | Pterocliformes | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae | Pteroclidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.2 cm (12.7 in) | 34.9 cm (13.7 in) |
| Weight | 180.83333333333334 g (6.38 oz) | 179.62666666666667 g (6.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
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.
Four-banded Sandgrouse
Loud, cackling call with chattering quality; rapid notes carrying across East African dry four-banded terrain.
Conservation Status
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Four-banded 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
Four-banded Sandgrouse
Four-banded Sandgrouse: four distinct dark belly bands on white; sandy-brown above; short tail; West African forest-edge 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.
Four-banded Sandgrouse
Four-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles quadricinctus) — 26–30 cm. Brown with multiple thin black-and-white breast bands; barred above; short tail. Inhabits dry savanna, open woodland, and Sahelian scrub across West and Central Africa. Granivore; crepuscular drinker. Male belly-soaks to deliver water.