potted Sandgrouse

l'teroc/88 seneaattus

Beak

—

Feet

—

Crest

No crest

Breeds in S Pakistan and Rajasthan; winters in Pakistan and NW India. Pin-tailed. Rather pale upperwing with dark trailing edge, and whitish belly with black line down centre. Male is sandy olive-brown above, with buff spotting on wing-coverts, and has greyish supercilium and unmarked breast. Main plumage differences from male Crowned are lack of black-and-white patterning to head, and presence of black centre ta belly. Female is boldly spatted with black on upperparts and breast. Told from female Crowned by warmer orange - buff coloration, sparser but more prominent spotting on upperparts and breast. unbarred lower breast and belly, and black centre to belly and vent. Juvenile is similar to female, but lacks orange throat and is more finely barred. Unbarred belly, with black line down centre, helps separate it from juvenile Crowned. Usually in flocks of 100 or more outside the breeding season or in flights to drinking places. Regularly flies to water about two hours after sunrise and also in evening in hat weather. Barren, sandy desert and arid stony foothills.