Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse vs Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Pterocles exustus compared with Pterocles orientalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse | Black-bellied Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles exustus | Pterocles orientalis |
| Order | Pterocliformes | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae | Pteroclidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 35.0 cm (13.8 in) | 45.6 cm (18.0 in) |
| Weight | 211.5 g (7.46 oz) | 427.5 g (15.08 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 3 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse only
None
Black-bellied Sandgrouse only
None
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Loud, carrying call with resonant quality; deep notes carrying well across open dry terrain. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Conservation Status
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
How to Tell Them Apart
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: males with chestnut belly; sandy above; black belly spot; narrow white stripe; pin-tipped tail; dimorphic
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Black-bellied Sandgrouse: males with black belly; sandy-spotted above; chestnut and black neck bands; white flanks; very dimorphic
About These Birds
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.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) — 32–37 cm. Large; male: chestnut and grey upperparts; black belly; chestnut throat. Inhabits open steppe, semi-desert, and dry farmland from the Canary Islands through the Middle East to Central Asia and northwest India. Granivore; partially migratory. Male belly-soaks to carry water for chicks.