Madagascan sandgrouse

Madagascan sandgrouse
Pterocles personatus
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Pteroclidiformes
Family: Pteroclididae
Genus: Pterocles
Species: P. personatus
Binomial name
Pterocles personatus
Gould, 1843

The Madagascan sandgrouse (Pterocles personatus) is a species of bird in the Pteroclididae family. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Description

The Madagascan sandgrouse is a ground-dwelling short-legged plump bird. The head of the male has a black area surrounding the beak and a yellow area of bare skin round the eye. He has a pinkish-buff coloured breast, a light brown mottled back, brown wings and paler underparts barred with black. The female has a generally duller appearance being cryptically coloured brown with dark specks and bars.[2]

Status

The Madagascan sandgrouse is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as being of "Least Concern". This is because it has a wide range within Madagascar and is common in the west and south of the country though less common further north.[1]

References