Syrrhaptes

Syrrhaptes is a genus of birds in the sandgrouse family. The genus name is from Ancient Greek surrhaptos, "sewn together"; the feathered toes of birds in this genus are fused together.[2]

Syrrhaptes
Pallas's sandgrouse
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Order: Pterocliformes
Family: Pteroclidae
Genus: Syrrhaptes
Illiger, 1811
Type species
Tetrao paradoxa[1]
Pallas, 1773

There are two central Asian species.

ImageScientific nameCommon NameDistribution
Syrrhaptes tibetanusTibetan sandgrousemountains ranges of Central Asia, Tibet, Central China and the Himalayas
Syrrhaptes paradoxusPallas's sandgrouseKazakhstan, Mongolia, across Europe as far west as Great Britain

These are large birds breeding in open steppes or plateau. They nest in a ground scrape into which three eggs are laid.

Both species have mainly buff upperparts, an orange face and feathered legs and toes. They are smaller-headed than other sandgrouse, but have sturdy compact bodies.

The 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.[3]

Although there is range overlap, they are easily distinguished. Tibetan sandgrouse has a white belly and black underwings, whereas Pallas's has a black belly and white underwings.

These birds are gregarious like other sandgrouse. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk, on long pointed wings.

References
  1. "Pteroclidae". aviansystematics.org. The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  2. Jobling, James A (2010). The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. London: Christopher Helm. p. 376. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4.
  3. van Grouw, Katrina (2012). Unfeathered Bird. Princeton University Press. pp. 242–243. ISBN 978-0691151342.
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