Namaqua Sandgrouse
Pterocles namaqua
Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
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The Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua) is a member of the Pteroclidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 177 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 namaqua
Quick facts
- Weight
- 177 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Pteroclidae
- Order
- Pterocliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Namaqua 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 Namaqua Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua) is a species of bird in the Pteroclidae family, part of the order Pterocliformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 177 g, with a wing length of about 16.4 cm and a tail of around 10.1 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 2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Namaqua Sandgrouse?
The Namaqua Sandgrouse is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 177 g.
Where does the Namaqua Sandgrouse live?
The Namaqua Sandgrouse is found across Africa with a range covering AF Angola, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Namaqua Sandgrouse belong to?
The Namaqua Sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua) belongs to the Pteroclidae family, in the order Pterocliformes.
What does the Namaqua Sandgrouse eat?
The Namaqua Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Namaqua Sandgrouse migrate?
The Namaqua Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Namaqua 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 Namaqua Sandgrouse make?
1 real field recording of the Namaqua Sandgrouse — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Namaqua Sandgrouse's range?
The Namaqua Sandgrouse has a mapped global range of about 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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