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Song & Call Comparison
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Song & Call Comparison
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Song
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
Song
Loud, far-carrying territorial call; sharp clucking notes carrying across African spotted sandgrouse open terrain.
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Geographic Range & Migration
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Conservation Status Comparison
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Conservation Status
Least Concern
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Least Concern
Spotted Sandgrouse
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Identification Tips — How to Tell Them Apart
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How to Tell Them Apart
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Plumage
Black-faced Sandgrouse: males with black-white face pattern; sandy-brown above; chestnut belly band; dimorphic; East African species
Spotted Sandgrouse
Plumage
Spotted Sandgrouse: males with orange face; white-spotted brown above; pale below; square tail; bold orange and white face pattern
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About Each Bird (Descriptions)
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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 (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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Related Comparisons
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More Birds in Family
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