The Tibetan sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) is a large bird in the sandgrouse family. The genus name Syrrhaptes is from Ancient Greek surrhaptos, "sewn together" and tibetanus is from the type locality, Tibet.
Region
Tibetan Plateau and Trans-Himalayan region
Typical Environment
Found across the Tibetan Plateau and adjoining highlands, including much of Tibet and parts of Qinghai and Xinjiang in western China, and locally in Ladakh (northern India). It occupies open alpine steppe, stony semi-desert, and gravel plains with sparse cushion plants and sedges. The species favors broad, treeless landscapes near seasonal or permanent water sources. Nests are simple scrapes on bare ground, often among stones for camouflage. Winter conditions can push birds to slightly lower elevations, but they remain within the upland zone.
Altitude Range
3500–5500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This high-altitude sandgrouse has toes with fleshy pads that are partly fused—hence the genus name meaning 'sewn together'—which helps it walk on cold, stony ground. Like other sandgrouse, adults soak their belly feathers at waterholes to carry water back to chicks. It flies swiftly over vast alpine plains and is most often seen commuting to and from scarce water sources at dawn.
At Merak, Ladakh
Temperament
wary yet gregarious
Flight Pattern
fast and direct with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Often forms small to medium flocks outside the breeding season, especially on flights to water. Breeding pairs nest on the ground in shallow scrapes, with both parents attending. Chicks are precocial and follow adults soon after hatching, relying on water transported in the adults’ soaked belly feathers.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include mellow, far-carrying clucks and rolling, guttural calls, especially during fly-bys to waterholes. Calls are repeated in series and help keep flocks coordinated over open terrain.
Plumage
Cryptically patterned sandy-buff to grey-brown plumage with fine dark barring on the upperparts and flanks; underparts paler. Wings are long and pointed, showing contrasting patterns in flight. Tail tapers with slightly elongated central feathers. Legs are densely feathered down to the toes.
Diet
Primarily takes dry seeds of alpine grasses and forbs, along with buds and shoots of hardy steppe plants. It occasionally ingests small grit to aid digestion. Invertebrates may be taken opportunistically, especially by chicks, but plant material dominates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on open, stony ground, gravel flats, and sparse steppe with low vegetation. Foraging typically occurs on the ground where seeds are abundant near tussocks, cushion plants, and along the margins of water sources.
