• The following pages have some identification markers for each of the Sandgrouses found in India • To know more on these birds you can visit http://ogaclicks.com/sandgrouse/ • If you are interested in Coming on any of my tours or workshops please share your email id. I will keep you updated • Mail me at [email protected] • You can also call me on (91)9840119078 , (91) 9445219078 (91) 6369815812 List of Sandgrouse found in India Sno. Name Binomial Name 1 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis 2 Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles exustus 3 Painted Sandgrouse Pterocles indicus 4 Palla's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus 5 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles Alchata 6 Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles senegallus 7 Tibetan Sandgrouse Pterocles tibetanus ©www.ogaclicks.com Black-bellied Sandgrouse Identification Tips Black-bellied Sandgrouse : Pterocles orientalis: Winter visitor to North West India Grey Head Upperparts are golden-brown with darker markings Bill is grey to black-horn Black chin Chestnut throat Grey Breast Male Thin black border around the lower breast Blackish grey legs Black belly Brown, finely marked head Brown, finely marked upperparts Yellow throat Female Brown, finely marked breast Difference from male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Inskipp and Grimmett ©www.ogaclicks.com White patch on lower breast Important id point www.HBW.com Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse Identification Tips Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: Pterocles exustus: Widespread resident in India ( Except Himalayas, East & North East) Bill is slate blue with darker tip Grey Head Dusky buff chin Dusky buff face with yellowish wash Dusky buff throat Upperparts are buff brown Buff Breast Black fringed yellowish Black pectoral band spots on wing coverts Chestnut belly Pin tail Brown, finely marked head Black underbelly Male Blackish grey legs Black spotted throat Brown, finely marked upperparts Buffish breast Smaller tail , black spotted Female Difference from male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett Important id point www.HBW.com Painted Sandgrouse Identification Tips Painted Sandgrouse: Pterocles indicus: Widespread resident in India ( Except Himalayas, East , extreme south & North East) Black bar across the white forehead Bill is orange Brown face Male Brown chin Brown throat Upperparts are striped with black & brown Brown Breast Wings are striped with black ,white & brown Broad black and white band around the chest Tail is striped with black & brown Brown, finely marked head Thin black and white band around the underbelly Brown, finely striped upperparts Brown unmarked wing coverts Vermiculated throat & breast Blackish grey legs Brownish vermiculated underparts Female Difference from male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett Important id point www.HBW.com Pallas’s Sandgrouse Identification Tips Pallas’s Sandgrouse: Pterocles paradoxus: Vagrant in India Brown forehead Grey Crown Brown face Bill is Horn grey Brown face Grey Ear-coverts Upperparts are buff coloured &barred Brown chin Grey throat Wings are Buff pink with black spots Grey Breast Pin tail White & black Pectoral band Pinkish Buff Underparts Yellow washed face Whitish grey legs Male Buff Brown, heavily barred upperparts Pinkish buff unmarked wing coverts Black band on Throat Plain buffish pink Breast White belly Difference from male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Female ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett Important id point www.HBW.com Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Identification Tips Pin-tailed Sandgrouse : Pterocles alchata caudacutus: Winter visitor to North West India Blue orbital skin Chestnut Crown Black eye band Bill is bluish grey-horn Chestnut n face Black chin Upperparts are Spotted with yellow spots Black band on throat Back has narrow Black & Yellow stripes chestnut band on breast bordered with black lines Rump has narrow Black & Yellow stripes Black Pectoral band Long central rectrices White Underparts Yellow washed face Grey legs Barred Nape & neck Primaries are black with Male pale edges heavily barred Whitish chin upperparts Chestnut edged with black and white wing coverts Black band on Throat Short Tail Difference from male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Female ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett Important id point www.HBW.com Spotted Sandgrouse Identification Tips Spotted Sandgrouse : Pterocles senegallus: Breeds in Rajasthan, Winter visitor to North West India Yellow orbital skin Grey Crown Grey nape Bill is bluish grey-horn Orange chin Orange neck Orange throat Upperparts are pinkish-grey & spotted Coverts are dark with buff edges Grey Breast Back is plain pinkish grey Long central rectrices Pinkish brown Underparts Spotted nape Greyish-brown Grey legs Upperparts heavily Male spotted Yellowish chin & throat Flight feathers are dark with buffish edges Black spotted breast Heavily Spotted wings & coverts Difference from male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent Female ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett Important id point www.HBW.com Tibetan Sandgrouse Identification Tips Tibetan Sandgrouse : Pterocles tibetanus : Resident of North Himalayas in India ( Ladhak) Yellow orbital skin Barred grey crown Barred grey nape Bill is bluish grey-horn Orange face Orange chin Barred grey neck Upperparts are Buff with Black spots Barred grey breast Coverts are Unspotted Pinkish brown Pinkish brown breast sides Long central rectrices White Underparts Bill is greyish horn Narrowly black-barred Male Upperparts White legs Flight feathers are unspotted buff Vermiculated Upper belly Narrowly black-barred wings & coverts Difference from male Reference : Birds of Indian Subcontinent ©www.ogaclicks.com Inskipp and Grimmett Female Important id point www.HBW.com .