Four-banded Sandgrouse
Pterocles quadricinctus
A small, short-tailed, intricately marked sandgrouse. The distinctive male has black marks on top of the head and three bands across the underparts. The female is plainer. Both sexes have a finely barred dark belly. Found in savanna and cultivation. Usually in pairs or small groups. Similar in size and shape to Lichtenstein’s Sandgrouse, but lacks that species’ fine barring on the underparts. Female separated from female Black-faced Sandgrouse by the lack of a strong white mark across the underparts. The call is a rattling, high-pitched “brrr-eeee,” often given in flight.
Identification
The four-banded sandgrouse is 25–28 cm long. Its head, neck and upperparts are yellowish-green, with the back heavily marked with brown. The male has black and white bands on its forehead as well as black and white bands separating the breast from the heavily barred belly. The female lacks the head and breast bands and is heavily barred on the back and flanks. It has a small, pigeon-like head and neck, but a sturdy compact body. It has long pointed wings, which are grey underneath, a short tail and a fast direct flight.
Taxonomy
Genus: Pterocles; Family: Pteroclidae; Order: Pterocliformes.
- Scientific name
- Pterocles quadricinctus
- Authority
- Temminck, 1815
- Order
- Pterocliformes
- Family
- Pteroclidae
- Genus
- Pterocles
Range and habitat
This gregarious species occurs in a belt across Africa from Mauritania and Cameroon east to Sudan and Uganda. It is much more common in the west of its range. It is a partial seasonal migrant, with some birds moving further north in the rainy season. It breeds on open areas with some trees, including savanna, scrubland and similar habitats.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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