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BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSE

Pterocles orientalis

Length

30-35 cm

Wingspan

65-70 cm

Classification

Order: Pterocliformes
Family: Pteroclidae

Pterocles orientalis

Habitat

It breeds in plains with scarce vegetation, semi-arid zones and traditional extensive non-irrigated crops. It is one of the steppe birds that have experienced a greater population decline in recent decades. Currently, Alfaro steppes are home to one of the few remaining population redoubts of this bird in La Rioja. Cautious and skittish, they can be seen in small groups when they visit water sources to drink at twilight hours.

Description

Robust bird the size of a pigeon, it has a eye-catching black belly and light chest that contrasts with the white underside of the wings with black tips. Cream-colored pectoral stripe in both sexes. Males have a grey head and breast, orange throat with a black centre, and greyish-brown upperparts dotted with large yellow spots, while females have a mottled neck and vermiculated upperparts.

Pterocles orientalis
Regular | Occasional                Resident | Transient | Winter | Summer

Description

Robust bird the size of a pigeon, it has a eye-catching black belly and light chest that contrasts with the white underside of the wings with black tips. Cream-colored pectoral stripe in both sexes. Males have a grey head and breast, orange throat with a black centre, and greyish-brown upperparts dotted with large yellow spots, while females have a mottled neck and vermiculated upperparts.

Regular | Occasional
Resident | Transient | Winter | Summer