Crowned Sandgrouse

Pterocles coronatus

Crowned Sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.

The Crowned Sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus) is a member of the Pteroclidae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 300 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Pterocliformes
Family Pteroclidae Sandgrouse
Genus Pterocles
Species coronatus

Where it lives

Western AF to Pakistan

Quick facts

Weight: 300 g
Diet: Seed-eaters
Family: Pteroclidae
Order: Pterocliformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Crowned Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Behaviour

A bird of arid, desert country, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Crowned Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Crowned Sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus) is a member of the Pteroclidae family, within the order Pterocliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers AF, PAL w AF to Pakistan.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 300 g, with a wing length of about 19.2 cm and a tail of around 7.9 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4.8 million km².

Songs & calls

Crowned Sandgrouse — Call

Recorded by Patrik Åberg Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Crowned Sandgrouse?

The Crowned Sandgrouse is a large bird that weighs around 300 g.

Where does the Crowned Sandgrouse live?

The Crowned Sandgrouse is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering AF, PAL w AF to Pakistan, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Crowned Sandgrouse belong to?

The Crowned Sandgrouse (Pterocles coronatus) belongs to the Pteroclidae family, in the order Pterocliformes.

What does the Crowned Sandgrouse eat?

The Crowned Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.

Does the Crowned Sandgrouse migrate?

The Crowned Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Crowned 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 Crowned Sandgrouse make?

1 real field recording of the Crowned 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 Crowned Sandgrouse's range?

The Crowned Sandgrouse has a mapped global range of about 4.8 million km².