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Pin-tailed Sandgrouse


Pin-tailed Sandgrouse
Photo Information
Copyright: Elroyie David (elroyie) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 394 W: 104 N: 1519] (6403)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-03-16
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF100-400 IS L, Kenko Pro 300 1.4x Teleconvert
Exposure: f/8, 1/1000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-07-24 13:56
Viewed: 1375
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - Pterocles alchata

Descriptive notes.

Long central rectrices, underwing and belly white. 30=39 cm, 210-400 g, wingspan 55-65 cm.
Broad chestnut band on breast, bordered with black lines. bill bluish grey-horn, orbital ring blue. Female duller, and has additional black line on neck.
Exceptionally among sandgrouse, a non-breeding plumage exists in male, showing white throat, black eyestripe reduced or absent, and dorsal parts barred, without yellow spots.
Race caudacutus paler, with longer wings.

Habitat.

Semi-arid and arid treeless plains, from sime-desert and steppe to dry mudflats and leaves. Apparently prefers clay or sandy to rocky or stony substrates.
Avoids dense scrub or tall crops, as well as hilly areas and high altitudes in general.

Food and Feeding

Mainly feeds on seeds, but to lesser extent also green shoots and leaves. Strongly selects Leguminosae , and also takes Polygonum, Salicornia, Artemisia and others. In agricultural areas, takes cereal grain and cultivated legumes as well.
Species typically drinks during morning, and in hot weather some birds also an hour before sunset.

Breeding.
marhowie, blakitan, coasties has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Very nice group shot of the sandgrouse, I didn't realize how pretty of a bird it is until I saw this wonderful shot. TFS :)

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3068 W: 231 N: 6169] (21080)
  • [2006-07-24 15:08]

Fabulous shot of this group of unusual birds, Elroyie.
I love the earth colors on them, and on the whole image.
Good moment caught with that grouse with the wings stretched out.
Wonderful blue eyes.
TFS. : )

  • Great 
  • omer Silver Star Critiquer [C: 27 W: 0 N: 4] (185)
  • [2006-07-24 15:08]

A very sharp photo of beautifull pin-tailed sand grauses ,also the field depht is very good.

great moment of a little flock. good 4u. Ori

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2175 W: 221 N: 4385] (14914)
  • [2006-07-24 16:16]

Very nice picture, Elroyie!
Excellent capture with such an abbundent group.
Lovelt colors, great POV and very good sharpness.
Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • jmp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1740 W: 95 N: 2273] (8411)
  • [2006-07-24 16:39]

Hi Elroyie,
Great capture of this lovely birds. Colors, details and poses are very good, showing the bird in all positions.
TFS, José M.

Hi Elroyie,
Sharp and detailed group photo with nice DOF, color, and light. Good POV, with the side view of the grouse with wings-up pose, adding great interest :)
Very well done.

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2273 W: 10 N: 2661] (15669)
  • [2006-07-24 18:38]

simpática imagen, llena de colorido de esas inquietas aves, gracias

Hi Elroyie,
Great sharpness in this picture, especially considering similar color between the birds and sand. Nicely captured. Superb shot.

Ben Lakitan

  • Great 
  • babak Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 53 W: 0 N: 234] (1164)
  • [2006-07-25 8:14]

Very nice shot my friend well done

Hi Elroyie

I have been 'off line' for a while and now catching up on what has been posted. Still away on holiday so this is a short critique.

Well done on this lovely post. Everything looks spot on. Very nice work. :-)

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