Pallas's Sandgrouse

Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Pallas, 1773)

		Male Female
2015-05-03 Kosh-Agach, Altai Republic. 2015-05-03 Kosh-Agach, Altai Republic.	© Sergey Pisarevskiy © Sergey Pisarevskiy

Biology

Common, in places rare breeding migrant. Inhabits the plain or hilly deserts and semi-deserts with solid ground (clay, crushed stone or saline soil) with scarce vegetation; and sometimes the southern steppes with low vegetation; not very far from watering-places. Arrives in end of February – March, sometimes in early April. Nest is shallow reception on bare ground without lining, sometimes under the cover of grass. Clutch of 2-3 eggs is laid in end of March to mid-July. Both parents incubate clutch and care for offspring. Probably rears two broods per season. Regularly flies to watering-places where occurs from late morning to evening. Flying juveniles recorded from end of May. Autumn migration passes in September – early October. Mass flight recorded at Dzungarian Gate through which birds fly to China. Latest birds observed in early November.

References