General

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: One of the most common sandgrouse in Africa and India. Upperparts are buff to light brown, underparts and face are chestnut, narrow breastband is black. Back and wings are mottled, primaries are darker brown. Tail has elongated central feathers. Female is more buff with heavy streaks and bars overall, lacks long tail feathers and single black breastband.

Range and Habitat

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: Found only on the big island of Hawaii. Native to India, the southern Arabian peninsula, and parts of Africa. Prefers desert and semi-desert habitats, also found in arid scrub, dry steppe, and fallow fields.

Breeding and Nesting

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: Three tan eggs, heavily marked with brown blotches, are laid in a shallow depression and are incubated for about 23 days by both parents. The female incubates during the day and the male at night. Precocial chicks leave the nest shortly after hatching and learn feeding techniques from their parents

Foraging and Feeding

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: This semi-desert species feeds on small, hard seeds and cultivated grain. It may also eat shoots and some insects. As with all Sandgrouse it is heavily dependent on water and large flocks fly to find water 2-3 hours after sunrise, also occasionally just before sunset.

Vocalization

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse: A two note whistle.