Tibetan Sandgrouse
A species of Palearctic Sandgrouse Scientific name : Syrrhaptes tibetanus Genus : Palearctic Sandgrouse
Tibetan Sandgrouse, A species of Palearctic Sandgrouse
Botanical name: Syrrhaptes tibetanus
Genus: Palearctic Sandgrouse
Content
Description General Info
Photo By manuel_ruedi , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The Tibetan sandgrouse is about 30–41 cm long, with a small, pigeon-like head and neck, but sturdy compact body. It has long pointed wings and pin tail. It has an orange face, finely barred grey breast, neck and crown, white belly and black underwings. Male has unspotted buff wing while the female has barred wing coverts, upperparts and upper belly than the male. Juvenile lacks the tail pin, has narrower barrings and has less orange on the face. White belly and dark underwings are distinctions from the related Pallas's sandgrouse, with which its range overlaps. As with that species, its small feet lack a hind toe, and the three front toes are fused together. The upper surface is feathered, and the underneath has a fleshy pad. The appearance of the foot is more like a paw than an avian foot. 
Size
40 cm
Feeding Habits
Tibetan Sandgrouse consumes a seasonal diet: buds, flowers, and plant greens in summer, with an emphasis on legumes, and primarily seeds in winter. It uniquely forages in snowcocks' and Argali sheep's diggings for food. Tibetan Sandgrouse irregularly drinks, acquiring moisture from vegetation and snow, but will visit waterholes, often at specific times.
Habitat
Tibetan Sandgrouse predominantly occupies high-altitude semi-desert or desert uplands, favoring terrain such as barren plateaux, rocky hillsides, and gravelly or sandy river valleys. These birds are found in environments where sparse vegetation is limited to perennial and annual herbs. They are typically located in regions that border snowfields and are adapted to thrive in areas with minimal ground cover, often in lacustrine depressions that are devoid of dense vegetation.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Behavior
Tibetan sandgrouse is found on barren sandy plains near water. They are gregarious and form loose flocks. Their flight is fast and direct and on the wings, a clanging double note is uttered repeatedly. Flocks fly noisily to watering holes at dawn and dusk, usually the former, though less regular than other sandgrouse. They forage in the morning and afternoon on the undulating semi-desert plains. While foranging, their movements are fast and rapid. During the middle of the day it squats in a small depression in the ground, basking in the sun. They are generally not wary, especially in the middle of the day during resting. This species breeds from May to June on the arid stony plateau and ridges, the nest site generally chosen near the top of the ridge on the leeward side. Its nest is a ground scrape in which three pale brown elliptical eggs with cryptic markings are laid. Generally the nest is exposed, though occasionally could be protected by a stone or grass. The young ones are able to move around soon after hatching. They move around with the flock. When threatened, adults resort to distraction displays, while the chicks crouch and freeze. They feed on seeds, grass, buds and legumes.
Distribution Area
Tibetan sandgrouse is found in mountains ranges of Central Asia, Tibet, Central China and the Himalayas. Though the population is decreasing, due to the large range and low rate of population decrease, the species is classified as "Least Concern" by IUCN.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Sandgrouse Family
Sandgrouse Genus
Palearctic Sandgrouse Species
Tibetan Sandgrouse 
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