Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Burchell’s Sandgrouse
Pterocles burchelli
Burchell's Sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
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The Burchell’s Sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli) 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 burchelli
Quick facts
- Weight
- 181 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Pteroclidae
- Order
- Pterocliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Burchell’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 Burchell’s Sandgrouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Burchell’s Sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli) is a species of bird in the Pteroclidae family, part of the order Pterocliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF s Angola and Namibia through Botswana to Zimbabwe and South Africa.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 181 g, with a wing length of about 15.9 cm and a tail of around 6.8 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 1.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Burchell’s Sandgrouse?
The Burchell’s Sandgrouse is a large bird that weighs around 181 g.
Where does the Burchell’s Sandgrouse live?
The Burchell’s Sandgrouse is found across Africa with a range covering AF s Angola and Namibia through Botswana to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Burchell’s Sandgrouse belong to?
The Burchell’s Sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli) belongs to the Pteroclidae family, in the order Pterocliformes.
What does the Burchell’s Sandgrouse eat?
The Burchell’s Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Burchell’s Sandgrouse migrate?
The Burchell’s Sandgrouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Burchell’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 Burchell’s Sandgrouse make?
1 real field recording of the Burchell’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 Burchell’s Sandgrouse's range?
The Burchell’s Sandgrouse has a mapped global range of about 1.2 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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