Black-faced Sandgrouse vs Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Pterocles decoratus compared with Pterocles orientalis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-faced Sandgrouse | Black-bellied Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles decoratus | Pterocles orientalis |
| Order | Pterocliformes | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae | Pteroclidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 32.2 cm (12.7 in) | 45.6 cm (18.0 in) |
| Weight | 180.83333333333334 g (6.38 oz) | 427.5 g (15.08 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.
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
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Black-bellied 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
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
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.
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.