Female © Laurent Esselen
Female © Howard Heaton
Male and female © Whitney Mortimer
Flock © Laurent Esselen
+ 3
Flock © DrReza Khan
Flock © Tommy Pedersen

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

White belly and underwings contrast with a large buffy-chestnut breast band framed in black. Long tail extensions are prominent in flight. Females have white throats; breeding males have solid black throats. Found on dry open plains and dried-out river and lake beds. Makes daily visits to water holes usually in the morning, often in large flocks. In flight, hurried and pigeonlike. Some populations are nomadic or migratory, while some are sedentary. Gives low, laughter-like calls, often while in flight.

POWERED BY MERLIN