Four-banded sandgrouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Four-banded sandgrouse
male
female both in Gambia
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Pterocliformes
Family:	Pteroclidae
Genus:	Pterocles
Species:	P. quadricinctus
Binomial name
Pterocles quadricinctus Temminck, 1815
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Pterocles quadricinctus - MHNT

The four-banded sandgrouse (its scientific name is Pterocles quadricinctus) is a fascinating medium-sized bird. It belongs to the sandgrouse family, which are known for living in dry, open areas. This bird was first described in 1815 by a scientist named Coenraad Jacob Temminck.

What Does It Look Like?

The four-banded sandgrouse is about 25 to 28 centimeters (10 to 11 inches) long. That's roughly the size of a small pigeon.

Male and Female Birds

Male and female sandgrouse look a bit different.

• The male has cool black and white stripes on its forehead.
• It also has black and white bands on its chest.
• These bands separate its chest from its belly, which has many thin stripes.
• Its head, neck, and upper body are a yellowish-green color.
• The back has many brown markings.

The female bird is different:

• She does not have the black and white stripes on her head or chest.
• Instead, her back and sides have many strong stripes.

Body Shape and Flight

This bird has a small head and neck, much like a pigeon. But its body is strong and compact. It has long, pointed wings that are grey underneath. Its tail is short. When it flies, it moves very fast and in a straight line.

Where Do They Live?

The four-banded sandgrouse lives in a wide area across Africa. You can find them in countries like Mauritania and Cameroon in the west. They also live east to Sudan and Uganda. They are much more common in the western parts of this region.

Habitat and Migration

These birds like to live in open areas that have some trees. This includes places like savanna and scrubland. They are social birds and often live in groups.

Some four-banded sandgrouse are partial seasonal migrants. This means some birds move to different places depending on the season. For example, some might travel further north during the rainy season.

How Do They Behave?

Four-banded sandgrouse are mostly active at night. They often fly in groups to watering holes in the evening. This is where they drink water.

Sounds and Reproduction

Their call is a loud sound that sounds like wulli-wulli. When many birds gather at the watering holes, they make a lot of twittering noises.

When it's time to lay eggs, the female makes a simple nest. It's just a shallow scrape on the ground. She usually lays two or three eggs. These eggs are a light yellow-brown color with brown spots. Both the male and female birds take turns sitting on the eggs to keep them warm until they hatch.