Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse

Scientific Name: Pterocles exustus
Common Name: Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse
Other Name: Indian Sand Grouse

Identifying Features: Large sized, pointed tail, sandy brown colour, males have thin black breast band and solid chestnut belly, females have black bars on the back and a mottled neck.

Fun Facts:

  • Though they live in hot, arid climates, they are highly reliant on water. They have been known to travel up to 80 kilometres in one day in search of water.
  • A subspecies, P. e. floweri, was last seen in the Nile Valley of Egypt in 1979. It is thought to be extinct, but the reasons for this are unknown.
  • Entirely vegetarian throughout their lives.

 

The image was clicked by Steve Gravie – via Flickr.

Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org

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