Black-bellied Sandgrouse vs Tibetan Sandgrouse
Pterocles orientalis compared with Syrrhaptes tibetanus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-bellied Sandgrouse | Tibetan Sandgrouse |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterocles orientalis | Syrrhaptes tibetanus |
| Order | Pterocliformes | Pterocliformes |
| Family | Pteroclidae | Pteroclidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 45.6 cm (18.0 in) | 49.8 cm (19.6 in) |
| Weight | 427.5 g (15.08 oz) | 347.0 g (12.24 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 2-3 | 2-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
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.
Tibetan Sandgrouse
Melodic, rolling call with resonant quality; rich musical notes building in sequence across open terrain.
Conservation Status
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Tibetan Sandgrouse
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Black-bellied Sandgrouse: males with black belly; sandy-spotted above; chestnut and black neck bands; white flanks; very dimorphic
Tibetan Sandgrouse
Tibetan Sandgrouse: males with orange face; black collar; buff-brown above; gray underparts; pin-like outer tail; high altitude species
About These Birds
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.
Tibetan Sandgrouse
Tibetan Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) — 44–50 cm. Pale sandy-grey plumage cryptically patterned; feathered feet and toes; long central tail feathers; small head. Inhabits open alpine steppe, high plateaus, and rocky desert above 3,500–5,500 m in Tibet, Nepal, and central Asia. Granivore; drinks from high-altitude streams. Flocks in winter.