Pterocles bicinctus Temminck, 1815

Scientific Nomenclature and General Build

The double-banded sandgrouse (scientific name Pterocles bicinctus Temminck, 1815) is a moderately-sized bird with a quail-like build and a plump body. It has a small head similar to that of a pigeon, paired with long wings and a long tail.

Plumage Base Pattern

Its overall plumage is light brown, marked with darker mottling and rows of whitish specks.

Male Distinguishing Markings

Males can be identified by a prominent black-and-white band on the forehead, and a chestnut throat that is outlined by another black-and-white band.

Facial and Beak Features

Both males and females have a patch of bare yellow skin surrounding the eye socket, and males have an orange beak.

Female Characteristics

Females are smaller and have duller brown plumage than males.

Juvenile Appearance

Juvenile double-banded sandgrouse look similar to adult females.

Geographic Range

This species occurs in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Primary Habitat Preferences

It favours specific habitats: short trampled grass alongside roads and tracks, gravel patches, tussocky grassland, and recently burned scrub areas where new green shoots are starting to grow.

Additional Habitat Types

It can also be found in areas with sparse vegetation beneath scattered Terminalia sericea and Burkea africana trees, and in scrubby mopane woodland.

Co-occurring Related Species

It is less common than Burchell's sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli) and Namaqua sandgrouse (Pterocles namaqua), both of which share an overlapping range with it in southern Africa.