Namaqua Sandgrouse
A species of Sandgrouse Scientific name : Pterocles namaqua Genus : Sandgrouse
Namaqua Sandgrouse, A species of Sandgrouse
Botanical name: Pterocles namaqua
Genus: Sandgrouse
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Yathin sk , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The sandgrouse is a medium-sized bird with a plump body, small head and short legs. It grows to a length of about 28 centimetres (11 in). The male has an orangish buff head, throat and chest delineated by a conspicuous narrow band of white and dark brown. The back and wings are mottled brown with large white specks and there are two long black filaments extending from the olive-brown tail. The colouring of the female and juvenile is more cryptic being generally various shades of brown patterned with white specks. It could be confused with the double-banded sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) and Burchell's sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli), which share the same range. 
Size
28 cm
Feeding Habits
Namaqua Sandgrouse primarily consume seeds, supplemented with leaves, flowers, small fruits, insects, and molluscs. They forage with a distinctive method of sifting through soil using their beaks.
Habitat
Namaqua Sandgrouse primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid regions, thriving in environments like deserts and sub-deserts. This bird species prefers landscapes with sparse vegetation, such as short grasslands with occasional shrubs and succulent plants. Namaqua Sandgrouse is well adapted to flat or rolling terrains, often found in areas that sustain tussock-type grasses. Although namaqua Sandgrouse can survive harsh, dry conditions, proximity to fresh water sources for drinking is crucial. The broader geographical range of namaqua Sandgrouse encompasses extensive desert fringes and dry savannas that exhibit these habitat characteristics.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Behavior
Outside the breeding season, the sandgrouse are gregarious. The birds converge on watering holes in the early morning and several dozens or even hundreds of individuals may congregate in one place. They also tend to spend the night in groups, congregating about an hour before dusk. They split up during the day into much smaller groups to feed.
Distribution Area
The Namaqua sandgrouse can be found in various arid parts of South Africa and its neighbouring lands. It is common in the Kalahari Desert, the Nama Karoo (in central and western South Africa), and in parts of the Western Cape. In addition, it is also found in Namibia (especially in the Namib Desert), Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola. It favours deserts and other arid areas. In order to survive, this bird needs only seeds, some gravel, and easy access to some sort of fresh water source. Their habitat usually has rough vegetation and tussock-type grasses.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Sandgrouse Family
Sandgrouse Genus
Sandgrouse Species
Namaqua Sandgrouse 
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