The Tibetan sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes tibetanus) is a large bird in the sandgrouse family. The genus name Syrrhaptes is from Ancient Greeksurrhaptos, "sewn together" (the feathered toes of this sandgrouse are fused together) and tibetanus is from the type locality, Tibet.[2]
The Tibetan sandgrouse is about 30–41 cm long, with a small, pigeon-like head and neck, but sturdy compact body. It has long pointed wings and pin tail. It has an orange face, finely barred grey breast, neck and crown, white belly and black underwings. Male has unspotted buff wing while the female has barred wing coverts, upperparts and upper belly than the male. Juvenile lacks the tail pin, has narrower barrings and has less orange on the face. White belly and dark underwings are distinctions from the related Pallas's sandgrouse, with which its range overlaps.[3][4] As with that species, its small feet lack a hind toe, and the three front toes are fused together. The upper surface is feathered, and the underneath has a fleshy pad. The appearance of the foot is more like a paw than an avian foot.[5]
Taxonomy and systematicsedit
Currently considered monotypic. Birds from the Pamirs were earlier separated as race pamirensis. The species was first described by Gould in 1850 based on specimen from Tso-Morriri in Ladakh.
Distribution and statusedit
Tibetan sandgrouse is found in mountains ranges of Central Asia, Tibet, Central China and the Himalayas. Though the population is decreasing, due to the large range and low rate of population decrease, the species is classified as "Least Concern" by IUCN.[1]
Behaviour and ecologyedit
Tibetan sandgrouse is found on barren sandy plains near water. They are gregarious and form loose flocks. Their flight is fast and direct and on the wings, a clanging double note is uttered repeatedly. Flocks fly noisily to watering holes at dawn and dusk, usually the former, though less regular than other sandgrouse.[3] They forage in the morning and afternoon on the undulating semi-desert plains. While foraging, their movements are fast and rapid. During the middle of the day it squats in a small depression in the ground, basking in the sun. They are generally not wary, especially in the middle of the day during resting.[4][6]
This species breeds from May to June on the arid stony plateau and ridges, the nest site generally chosen near the top of the ridge on the leeward side. Its nest is a ground scrape in which three pale brown elliptical eggs with cryptic markings are laid. Generally the nest is exposed, though occasionally could be protected by a stone or grass.[4] The young ones are able to move around soon after hatching. They move around with the flock. When threatened, adults resort to distraction displays, while the chicks crouch and freeze.[7]
They feed on seeds, grass, buds and legumes.
Referencesedit
^ abBirdLife International (2016). "Syrrhaptes tibetanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22692977A93376741. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22692977A93376741.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
^Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. pp. 376, 385. ISBN978-1-4081-2501-4.
^ abRasmussen PC & JC Anderton (2005). Birds of South Asia: The Ripley Guide. Volume 2. Smithsonian Institution & Lynx Edicions. pp. 201–202.
^ abcBaker, ECS (1928). Fauna of British India. Birds. Volume 5 (2nd ed.). Taylor and Francis, London. pp. 277–278.
^van Grouw, Katrina (2012). Unfeathered Bird. Princeton University Press. pp. 242–243. ISBN978-0691151342.
^Baker, ECS (1921). The Game Birds of India, Burma and Ceylon, Volume 2. The Bombay Natural History Society. pp. 316–323.
Pheasants, Partridges and Grouse by Madge and McGowan, ISBN0-7136-3966-0
Photographs from Oriental Bird Images
January 01, 1970
tibetan, sandgrouse, syrrhaptes, tibetanus, large, bird, sandgrouse, family, genus, name, syrrhaptes, from, ancient, greek, surrhaptos, sewn, together, feathered, toes, this, sandgrouse, fused, together, tibetanus, from, type, locality, tibet, female, photogra. The Tibetan sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus is a large bird in the sandgrouse family The genus name Syrrhaptes is from Ancient Greek surrhaptos sewn together the feathered toes of this sandgrouse are fused together and tibetanus is from the type locality Tibet 2 Tibetan sandgrouse Female Tibetan sandgrouse Photograph has been taken at Tso Kar Ladakh Jammu and Kashmir India Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Aves Order Pterocliformes Family Pteroclidae Genus Syrrhaptes Species S tibetanus Binomial name Syrrhaptes tibetanusGould 1850 At Merak Ladakh Contents 1 Description 2 Taxonomy and systematics 3 Distribution and status 4 Behaviour and ecology 5 References 6 External linksDescription editThe Tibetan sandgrouse is about 30 41 cm long with a small pigeon like head and neck but sturdy compact body It has long pointed wings and pin tail It has an orange face finely barred grey breast neck and crown white belly and black underwings Male has unspotted buff wing while the female has barred wing coverts upperparts and upper belly than the male Juvenile lacks the tail pin has narrower barrings and has less orange on the face White belly and dark underwings are distinctions from the related Pallas s sandgrouse with which its range overlaps 3 4 As with that species its small feet lack a hind toe and the three front toes are fused together The upper surface is feathered and the underneath has a fleshy pad The appearance of the foot is more like a paw than an avian foot 5 nbsp Taxonomy and systematics editCurrently considered monotypic Birds from the Pamirs were earlier separated as race pamirensis The species was first described by Gould in 1850 based on specimen from Tso Morriri in Ladakh Distribution and status editTibetan sandgrouse is found in mountains ranges of Central Asia Tibet Central China and the Himalayas Though the population is decreasing due to the large range and low rate of population decrease the species is classified as Least Concern by IUCN 1 Behaviour and ecology editTibetan sandgrouse is found on barren sandy plains near water They are gregarious and form loose flocks Their flight is fast and direct and on the wings a clanging double note is uttered repeatedly Flocks fly noisily to watering holes at dawn and dusk usually the former though less regular than other sandgrouse 3 They forage in the morning and afternoon on the undulating semi desert plains While foraging their movements are fast and rapid During the middle of the day it squats in a small depression in the ground basking in the sun They are generally not wary especially in the middle of the day during resting 4 6 This species breeds from May to June on the arid stony plateau and ridges the nest site generally chosen near the top of the ridge on the leeward side Its nest is a ground scrape in which three pale brown elliptical eggs with cryptic markings are laid Generally the nest is exposed though occasionally could be protected by a stone or grass 4 The young ones are able to move around soon after hatching They move around with the flock When threatened adults resort to distraction displays while the chicks crouch and freeze 7 They feed on seeds grass buds and legumes References edit a b BirdLife International 2016 Syrrhaptes tibetanus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22692977A93376741 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22692977A93376741 en Retrieved 13 November 2021 Jobling James A 2010 The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names London Christopher Helm pp 376 385 ISBN 978 1 4081 2501 4 a b Rasmussen PC amp JC Anderton 2005 Birds of South Asia The Ripley Guide Volume 2 Smithsonian Institution amp Lynx Edicions pp 201 202 a b c Baker ECS 1928 Fauna of British India Birds Volume 5 2nd ed Taylor and Francis London pp 277 278 van Grouw Katrina 2012 Unfeathered Bird Princeton University Press pp 242 243 ISBN 978 0691151342 Baker ECS 1921 The Game Birds of India Burma and Ceylon Volume 2 The Bombay Natural History Society pp 316 323 Ali Salim 1946 An Ornithological Pilgrimage J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 46 2 305 External links editPhotos Videos Pheasants Partridges and Grouse by Madge and McGowan ISBN 0 7136 3966 0 Photographs from Oriental Bird Images Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tibetan sandgrouse amp oldid 1217531599, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
