Pterocles coronatus Lichtenstein, 1823

General Appearance

This is a fairly small sandgrouse species that appears rather uniformly colored when viewed from a distance, with the exception of its darker flight feathers. Its entirely dark flight feathers are the most reliable feature to distinguish crowned sandgrouse from the similar spotted sandgrouse. The dark flight feathers contrast with the sandy upper wing coverts and creamy underwing coverts.

Male Plumage

Adult males have a black mask and have no grey tones on the neck and breast.

Female and Immature Plumage

Females and immature crowned sandgrouse lack the black mask, and differ from spotted sandgrouse by having dark vermiculations rather than spots across the entire breast and belly; in spotted sandgrouse, the markings are confined to the breast and upper belly.

Size Measurements

Crowned sandgrouse measure 27–29 cm (10.6–11.4 in) in length, and have a wingspan of 52–63 cm (20–25 in).

Distribution Range

Crowned sandgrouse is distributed across North Africa and South Asia, ranging from Mauritania in the west, through the Middle East, to Pakistan.

Habitat Preferences

It is a desert-dwelling bird that prefers stony deserts over sandy deserts. In North Africa, it breeds among dark red sandstone, which matches the color of its plumage. It avoids areas with excessive vegetation.