Carnivores   Pachydermata   Ongulates   Reptiles   Primates, rodents and others   Birds    Birds of prey    Terrestrial birds    Waders and water birds

The Black-faced Sandgrouse (Pterocles decoratus) occur naturally in the African countries of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda. The Black-faced Grouse have compact bodies, except for the small, pigeon-like heads and necks. Both genders look alike, except females tend to be slighty smaller. Their diet mostly consists of seed. Sandgrouse are monogamous (form life-long pair bonds). The nest is made on a slight depression in the ground. The average clutch consists of 2 eggs. The parents share the incubation duties. The male incubates during the night and early mornings, and the female takes over during the day.

The hatchlings emerge after about 20 - 25 days; and are able soon able to leave the nest. Even though the chicks are able to feed themselves within hours of hatching, they remain with their parents for severals months both for protection as well as to learn foraging skills from them.

Source : beautyofbirds.com