Black-faced Sandgrouse vs Spotted Sandgrouse
Pterocles decoratus compared with Pterocles senegallus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-faced Sandgrouse | Spotted Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles decoratus | Pterocles senegallus |
| Order | Pterocliformes | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae | Pteroclidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.2 cm (12.7 in) | 38.8 cm (15.3 in) |
| Weight | 180.83333333333334 g (6.38 oz) | 277.8 g (9.80 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.
Spotted Sandgrouse
Loud, far-carrying territorial call; sharp clucking notes carrying across African spotted sandgrouse open terrain.
Conservation Status
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Spotted 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
Spotted Sandgrouse
Spotted Sandgrouse: males with orange face; white-spotted brown above; pale below; square tail; bold orange and white face pattern
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.
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.