Yellow throated sandgrouse

Introduction: Yellow-throated sandgrouse (Pterocles gutterarlis) live and breed near seasonal rivers and swamps and short, open grassy plains. They drink mainly in the morning, arriving in large flocks at waterholes with a bare, sandy 'shoreline' at the side.

Distribution: Etosha, Caprivi, Kwando River.

Diet: Plants, weeds and grasses. Also feeds on crop grains such as oats, wheat, sorghum and barley.

Description: Gutteralis is Latin for 'of the throat' referring to the black throat collar.

Breeding: Only 2 or 3 eggs are laid in a scrape in the ground lined with dry grass or weed stems. Predators include banded mongoose and the pied crow, who have around 26 days to poach their eggs.

Size: 30cm.

Weight: 350g.