The four-banded sandgrouse is a medium-sized bird in the sandgrouse family.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across semi-arid to dry savanna zones, including Sahelian grasslands, thorn scrub, and stony plains with scattered bushes. Often found near open, sparsely vegetated ground, laterite flats, and fallow fields where seeds are abundant. The species requires regular access to water and makes daily flights to permanent or seasonal waterholes. It roosts and nests on the ground, typically in open areas offering clear sightlines for detecting predators.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Arid
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
The four-banded sandgrouse is a medium-sized sandgrouse adapted to dry savannas and Sahelian scrub. Males soak their belly feathers at waterholes to carry water back to chicks—an unusual and remarkable behavior among birds. They are most active at dawn and dusk, when they commute rapidly to drink. Their intricately barred plumage provides superb camouflage against stony, sandy ground.
Pterocles quadricinctus - MHNT
Temperament
wary and crepuscular
Flight Pattern
fast, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small parties, gathering in larger numbers at waterholes at dawn and dusk. Typically nests on the ground in a simple scrape, laying 2–3 eggs. Pairs are monogamous, and both sexes attend the nest; males transport water to chicks using specialized belly feathers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives far-carrying, mellow, repetitive calls, often heard during commuting flights to water. Notes are soft yet penetrating, with rolling or rattling quality that carries over open country.
Plumage
Sandy to buff-brown overall with fine barring and mottling that blends into dry ground. The male shows contrasting banding across the lower breast and belly, creating the characteristic multi-banded appearance. The female is more heavily barred and cryptic, lacking the male’s sharp contrast.
Diet
Primarily consumes dry seeds of grasses and forbs, including legumes and weeds of open farmland. Forages by walking and pecking on bare ground and among sparse vegetation. May take green shoots and buds when available, and very occasionally small invertebrates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in open, sparsely vegetated areas such as stony flats, short grass savanna, and field margins. Often forages within commuting distance of reliable water sources.
