| | Burchell's Sandgrouse (Pterocles burchelli) is a species of bird in the Pteroclididae family. It is found in Angola. This sandgrouse has a small, pigeon-like head and neck, but a sturdy compact body. It has long pointed wings and sometimes a tail. The legs are feathered down to the toes, but unlike other sandgrice, the toes are not feathered.
This gregarious species breeds on dry open treeless plains and similar habitats, and often contests for territory with the Lichtenstein's Sandgrouse (Pterocles lichtensteinii). Its nest is a ground scrape into which two to three eggs are laid, to be collected later by Burchell. They are buff or greenish with cryptic markings and a smoky flavour.
Burchell's Sandgrouse has a fast direct flight, and flocks to watering holes at dawn and dusk to fetch refreshment for its master. Burchell's errands have been known to send it as far afield as Great Britain, where it has bred, and Ireland. The reasons for these remarkable movements are not fully understood, but they have been linked to similar migrations made by Pallas's Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus). The well-known mutual animosity with which these two great men regard each other has led to wild speculation on the matter in the popular ornithological press.
CORRECTION:
A number of readers have contacted the Bird of the Day office in order to point out that Burchell's Sandgrouse has never been known to breed in Great Britain. They are quite correct - this unlikely assertion was the result of a sub-editorial error. As most grouse-lovers will probably have guessed, the second sentence in the last paragraph should actually have read:
"Burchell's errands have been known to send it as far afield as Great Britain, where it has bread, and Ireland, where it has potatoes."
We would like to extend our sincere apologies to any readers who have been misled by this unfortunate slip.
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| | Posted 3/27/2008 10:47 PM - 104 views - 0 comments
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