Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

Pin-tailed Sandgrouse

Pterocles alchata
ES: Ganga ibérica

Description

L: 31-39cm; W: 55cm;

Steppe smaller in size than the white-bellied sandgrouse. In breeding plumage, the male has a yellow-speckled back; black and yellow barred rump and long tail; Deep ocher chest, cheeks and eyebrow, black chin; back greenish gray with yellow spots; a dark chest band; innermost secondaries unbarred; greater coverts with brown and gray background, with yellow and black lines In breeding plumage, the male is similar to the female, but there are differences in the wing coverts. The female is yellowish above, streaked transversely with black, ochre, and gray; clear throat. Both sexes have a white abdomen. Juveniles lack the pattern characteristic of adults and are more mimetic.