Photo: Bob / CC BY 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Black-faced Sandgrouse
Pterocles decoratus
Black-faced Sandgrouse (Pterocles decoratus) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Black-faced Sandgrouse (Pterocles decoratus) is a member of the Pteroclidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 181 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 decoratus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 181 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Pteroclidae
- Order
- Pterocliformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Black-faced Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Black-faced Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Black-faced Sandgrouse (Pterocles decoratus) is a species of bird in the Pteroclidae family, part of the order Pterocliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 181 g, with a wing length of about 16.1 cm and a tail of around 6.3 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 1.4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Black-faced Sandgrouse?
The Black-faced Sandgrouse is a large bird that weighs around 181 g.
Where does the Black-faced Sandgrouse live?
The Black-faced Sandgrouse is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Black-faced Sandgrouse belong to?
The Black-faced Sandgrouse (Pterocles decoratus) belongs to the Pteroclidae family, in the order Pterocliformes.
What does the Black-faced Sandgrouse eat?
The Black-faced Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Black-faced Sandgrouse migrate?
The Black-faced Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Black-faced 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 Black-faced Sandgrouse make?
1 real field recording of the Black-faced 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 Black-faced Sandgrouse's range?
The Black-faced Sandgrouse has a mapped global range of about 1.4 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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