Scientific name: Pterocles orientalis (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Sandgrouses
Field characters. 35 cm. Larger than Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. Most obvious characters are black belly and, in flight, the black underside of the primaries which contrasts with the white underwing-coverts. Tail feathers not elongated. Male with grey head, grey chest with a black bar, and yellow upperparts. Female intricately barred and speckled with black on yellow ground, only lower chest uniform pale sand-coloured. Flight like Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. Even more shy than the latter. Usually seen in pairs or small flocks; less gregarious than Pin-tailed Sandgrouse.
Voice. Very different from Pin-tailed Sandgrouse; a pigeon-like 'churr-churr'.
Distribution. Uncommon in south-west of region. Resident.
Habitat. Like Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, but prefers better cover of bushes and trees.
Food. Mainly seeds.