Photo: Henrik Grønvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Spotted Sandgrouse
Pterocles senegallus
Spotted Sandgrouse (Pterocles senegallus) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
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The Spotted Sandgrouse (Pterocles senegallus) is a member of the Pteroclidae family found in Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 263 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 senegallus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 263 g
- Diet
- Seed-eaters
- Family
- Pteroclidae
- Order
- Pterocliformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spotted 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 Spotted Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Spotted Sandgrouse (Pterocles senegallus) belongs to the Pteroclidae family of the order Pterocliformes. Its range spans Africa and Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers AF, PAL nw AF to nw India.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 263 g, with a wing length of about 19.4 cm and a tail of around 11.4 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 9.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spotted Sandgrouse?
The Spotted Sandgrouse is a large bird that weighs around 263 g.
Where does the Spotted Sandgrouse live?
The Spotted Sandgrouse is found across Africa and Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering AF, PAL nw AF to nw India, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Spotted Sandgrouse belong to?
The Spotted Sandgrouse (Pterocles senegallus) belongs to the Pteroclidae family, in the order Pterocliformes.
What does the Spotted Sandgrouse eat?
The Spotted Sandgrouse is a granivore — it feeds mainly on seeds and grain.
Does the Spotted Sandgrouse migrate?
The Spotted Sandgrouse is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Spotted 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 Spotted Sandgrouse make?
1 real field recording of the Spotted 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 Spotted Sandgrouse's range?
The Spotted Sandgrouse has a mapped global range of about 9.3 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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