Four-banded sandgrouse

Scientific name: Pterocles quadricinctus

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Sandy-buff plumage with distinctive dark barring on the breast and underparts; males show bolder markings than females. Compact, rounded body with a small head and short legs; weighs 150–180 g.

Size and weight

25–28 cm body length; males 160–180 g, females 150–170 g.

Habitat

Arid and semi-arid plains, scrubland, and rocky plateaus with sparse grass and low shrub cover. Typically found between 500–2,500 m elevation in open terrain with minimal tree cover.

Distribution

Endemic to the Ethiopian Highlands and adjacent plateaus; restricted range in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and northern Djibouti. Prefers open grassland mosaics above 1,500 m with access to permanent or seasonal water.

Diet

Seeds from grasses, forbs, and shrubs; insects (especially beetles and termites) taken seasonally when available; requires regular water access.

Behaviour

Strictly diurnal and highly social, moving in small to large flocks outside breeding season. Most active during early morning and late afternoon; visits water sources daily, often in large congregations at dawn and dusk.

Hunting tips

Glass open slopes and plateaus at dawn when birds move toward water; look for tracks and dust-bath depressions along worn paths. Approach from downwind across broken terrain; birds flush in tight flocks, often circling before landing. Position near established water points in early morning or late afternoon for ambush opportunities.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 5 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.