UAE

Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse is distributed from Senegal in West Africa in a band across to Somalia, Egypt and around the Arabian Peninsula and into the Indian subcontinent. It is usually found in semi-desert areas where it feeds mainly on seeds. It feeds in the cool of the morning and evening while it tends to drink in the early morning.

The male (photo 1) has a golden-yellow head and a thin black breast band while the female (photos 2 and 3) is more mottled above with a black-spotted breast. The dark underwing distinguishes it from other sandgrouse species.

Their flight calls are rather throaty with an emphasis on the last syllable.