Painted sandgrouse

Overview

Wikipedia

The painted sandgrouse is a medium large bird in the sandgrouse family Pteroclidae found in India and Pakistan.

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Distribution

Region

South Asia

Typical Environment

Occurs widely across arid and semi-arid regions of India and into southern Pakistan (notably Rajasthan, Gujarat, the Deccan Plateau, and parts of Sindh). Prefers open, rocky or gravelly plains, thorn scrub, and dry woodland edges with sparse ground cover. Often found near seasonal or permanent waterholes, which they visit daily to drink. Uses cryptic plumage to remain concealed among stones and dry grasses.

Altitude Range

0–1200 m

Climate Zone

Arid

Characteristics

Size28–32 cm

Wing Span45–55 cm

Male Weight0.22 kg

Female Weight0.2 kg

Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

Painted sandgrouse are ground-dwelling birds of arid scrub and stony plains in India and Pakistan. Like other sandgrouse, adults—especially males—soak their specialized belly feathers at waterholes to carry water back to chicks. They are most active in the cool hours of early morning and late afternoon and are easily overlooked due to excellent camouflage. Their strong, direct flight and coordinated visits to water make them conspicuous at dawn and dusk.

Gallery

Chick

Behaviour

Temperament

wary and cryptic

Flight Pattern

strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Usually seen in pairs or small parties, sometimes larger groups when visiting water. Nests on the ground in a shallow scrape, usually with 2–3 eggs, relying on camouflage rather than elaborate nest structure. Likely monogamous during the breeding season and shows strong site fidelity to drinking spots.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Vocalizations are soft, mellow cooing notes given from the ground or in flight. In the air they produce rapid, rolling chuckles and repeated calls used to keep contact within small groups.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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