Burchell's sandgrouse is a species of bird in the family Pteroclidae. It is found in arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa. The name of this bird commemorates the English naturalist William John Burchell.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across dry savannas, thornveld, and semi-desert regions including the Kalahari and adjacent arid plains. Prefers open, sparsely vegetated areas with sandy or gravelly substrates and scattered shrubs. Regularly visits permanent and seasonal waterholes, especially during the early morning and late afternoon. Avoids dense woodland and steep mountainous terrain, favoring flat to gently undulating country.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Burchell's sandgrouse inhabits arid and semi-arid landscapes of southern Africa and is named after the naturalist William John Burchell. Like other sandgrouse, males have specially adapted belly feathers that can absorb and transport water to their chicks at the nest. They often undertake rapid, direct flights to waterholes at dawn and dusk. Their cryptic plumage makes them difficult to spot when resting on sandy or stony ground.
Temperament
social but wary
Flight Pattern
fast, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small flocks, with larger congregations forming at waterholes. Typically monogamous, nesting in a simple scrape on open ground. Both parents attend the nest, and chicks are precocial, leaving the nest shortly after hatching. Males transport water in specialized belly feathers to hydrate chicks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are carrying, guttural chuckles and clucking calls, often heard during commuting flights to water. In flight, gives repeated kek-kek or krrr notes that help maintain flock cohesion.
Plumage
Cryptically patterned sandy-brown to buff with fine dark barring and speckling; underparts smoother with a darker belly patch in males. Wings are long and pointed with contrasting darker primaries and paler panels. Tail is tapered with slightly elongated central feathers.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small, hard seeds of grasses and forbs gleaned from the ground. It also takes fallen seeds near shrubs and on open flats and swallows grit to aid digestion. Occasional small plant shoots may be taken, and drinking water is essential in hot, dry seasons.
Preferred Environment
Forages on open sandy or gravelly plains, along track edges, and around sparsely vegetated pans. Often feeds near water sources to reduce commuting distance, shifting to recently disturbed or grazed areas when available.
