Birds of Russia - Sandgrouse

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes. Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Russia.

• Pallas's Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes paradoxus
• Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata
• Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis