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Difference between revisions of "Pin-tailed Sandgrouse" - BirdForum Opus

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[[category:incomplete]]
 
;Pterocles alchata
 
;Pterocles alchata
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[[Image:Pin-tailed_Sandgrouse.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by rony_roshtov]]
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[[Image:Pin-tailed_Sandgrouse.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by rony_roshtov<br/> Location:  Negev, Israel]]
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Location:  Negev, Israel
 
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
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The Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata) is a medium large bird in the sandgrouse family.
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31–39 cm long. Head and upperparts yellowish-green, underparts white with a chestnut breast band, green neck. Sexes are similar, but the female is shorter tailed than the male.
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The Pin-tailed Sandgrouse is 31–39 cm long. Its head and upperparts are yellowish-green. The underparts are white with a chestnut breast band separating the belly from the green neck. Sexes are similar, but the female is shorter tailed than the male.
 
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Males of the eastern race have duller underparts than the European birds, and the females have white, rather than yellow, wing coverts.
 
  
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This sandgrouse has a small, pigeon like head and neck, but sturdy compact body. It has long pointed wings, which are white underneath, a long tail and a fast direct flight.
 
 
==Distribution==
 
==Distribution==
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The nominate race breeds in Iberia and southern France, and the eastern form P. a. caudacutus (Gmelin, 1774) is found in northwest Africa, and from southeast Turkey east to Kazakhstan. It is a partial migrant, with some Asian birds moving to the Middle East and northern India in winter.
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[[Iberia]] and southern [[France]], northwest [[Africa]], southeast [[Turkey]] east to [[Kazakhstan]]]. ==Taxonomy==
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==Taxonomy==
 
 
==Habitat==
 
==Habitat==
  
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This gregarious species breeds on dry open treeless plains and similar habitats.  
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Dry open treeless plains and similar habitats.  
 
==Behaviour==
 
==Behaviour==
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Its nest is a ground scrape into which 2 or 3 creamy eggs with cryptic markings are laid. Both sexes incubate.
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Its nest is a ground scrape into which 2 or 3 creamy eggs are laid. Both sexes incubate.
  
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Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn. The call is a loud gatar-gatar.
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Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn. The call is a loud ''gatar-gatar''.
  
  

Revision as of 11:51, 1 October 2007

Pterocles alchata
Photo by rony_roshtov
Location: Negev, Israel

Identification

31–39 cm long. Head and upperparts yellowish-green, underparts white with a chestnut breast band, green neck. Sexes are similar, but the female is shorter tailed than the male.

Distribution

Iberia and southern France, northwest Africa, southeast Turkey east to Kazakhstan]. ==Taxonomy==

Habitat

Dry open treeless plains and similar habitats.

Behaviour

Its nest is a ground scrape into which 2 or 3 creamy eggs are laid. Both sexes incubate.

Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn. The call is a loud gatar-gatar.


External Links

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