Lichtenstein's sandgrouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lichtenstein's sandgrouse
P. l. arabicus illustrated by H. Grönvold
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Pterocliformes
Family:	Pteroclidae
Genus:	Pterocles
Species:	P. lichtensteinii
Binomial name
Pterocles lichtensteinii Temminck, 1825
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Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse

The Lichtenstein's sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii) is a special type of bird. It belongs to the Pteroclidae family. This bird is named after a person called Martin Lichtenstein.

These sandgrouse are known for traveling a lot. This means they are nomadic. They are also mostly active at night, which makes them nocturnal birds. They have a unique habit of drinking water just before the sun comes up and after it sets.

Where Do These Birds Live?

Lichtenstein's sandgrouse can be found in many different places. Their home stretches from near the equator in Kenya all the way to Afghanistan in the Middle East.

In Africa, you can find them in countries like Algeria, Chad, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.

In Asia, they live in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Different Types of Sandgrouse

P. l. sukensis ♂,♀
P. l. lichtensteinii ♂,♀
Journal für Ornithologie

Within the Lichtenstein's sandgrouse species, there are five recognized types. These are often called "races" or subspecies. They are slightly different from each other, often because they live in different areas.

• P. l. targius von Schweppenburg, 1916 – This type lives in the Sahara Desert and the Sahel region of Africa.
• P. l. lichtensteinii Temminck, 1825 – This type is found from Israel down to Somalia and on the island of Socotra.
• P. l. sukensis Neumann, 1909 – You can find this type from South Sudan to central Kenya.
• P. l. ingramsi Bates & Kinnear, 1937 – This type is found in specific areas of Yemen.
• P. l. arabicus Neumann, 1909 – This type lives across Arabia and extends into Pakistan.