Black-bellied Sandgrouse

Pterocles orientalis

(P. o. orientalis)

Armenian Name:	Սևափոր դռլոն
Species Status:	Undetermined Species - Species of Special Concern

See Plate 23 for Black-bellied Sandgrouse and other similar species

Resident Status:	Breeding bird
Abundance:	Uncommon
Length:	33-35 cm, Wing Span:70-73 cm
Distribution Map:	Map 171.
Description:	Large black belly patch. Male: head and neck gray with black chin and brown-orange patch on upper neck. Narrow black breast band above wider pale band. Upperparts brown-yellow spotted with gray. Female: finely patterned with black on pale brown-yellow breast and upperparts.
Similar Species:	Differs from Pin-tailed Sandgrouse by black belly.
Behavior:	Flight action slower and more powerful than Pin-tailed Sandgrouse; takeoff noticeably slow. Makes group flights to water sources at dawn and dusk.
Habitat:	Semidesert, arid mountain steppe; usually near water.
Food:	Seeds, young green plants.
Nest:	Shallow ground scrape lined with dry twigs.
Eggs:	45 mm, 3, dull green, pale brown lines.