Photo: Louis Agassiz Fuertes / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Four-banded Sandgrouse
Pterocles quadricinctus
Four-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles quadricinctus) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
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The Four-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles quadricinctus) is a member of the Pteroclidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 179 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 quadricinctus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 179 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 Four-banded 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 Four-banded Sandgrouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Four-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles quadricinctus) is a member of the Pteroclidae family, within the order Pterocliformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Senegal and Gambia to Eritrea, Ethiopia and w Kenya.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 179 g, with a wing length of about 17.5 cm and a tail of around 7.5 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 3.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Four-banded Sandgrouse?
The Four-banded Sandgrouse is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 179 g.
Where does the Four-banded Sandgrouse live?
The Four-banded Sandgrouse is found across Africa with a range covering AF Senegal and Gambia to Eritrea, Ethiopia and w Kenya, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Four-banded Sandgrouse belong to?
The Four-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles quadricinctus) belongs to the Pteroclidae family, in the order Pterocliformes.
What does the Four-banded Sandgrouse eat?
The Four-banded Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Four-banded Sandgrouse migrate?
The Four-banded Sandgrouse is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Four-banded 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 Four-banded Sandgrouse make?
1 real field recording of the Four-banded Sandgrouse — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Four-banded Sandgrouse's range?
The Four-banded Sandgrouse has a mapped global range of about 3.9 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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