Photo: ChriKo / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse
Pterocles lichtensteinii
Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) is a member of the Pteroclidae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 209 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Pterocliformes
- Family Pteroclidae Sandgrouse
- Genus Pterocles
- Species lichtensteinii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 209 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Pteroclidae
- Order
- Pterocliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) is a member of the Pteroclidae family, within the order Pterocliformes. Its range spans Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers AF, PAL nw AF to Pakistan.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 209 g, with a wing length of about 17.5 cm and a tail of around 6.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse?
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse is a large bird that weighs around 209 g.
Where does the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse live?
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering AF, PAL nw AF to Pakistan, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse belong to?
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) belongs to the Pteroclidae family, in the order Pterocliformes.
What does the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse eat?
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse migrate?
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse make?
1 real field recording of the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse's range?
The Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse has a mapped global range of about 3.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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