The Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles exutus)

I find that it is always interesting to learn about new species, be it animals or plants. So here at Sir Bani Yas, we are always keen on sharing our findings and experiences hoping we would teach someone out there something new. Today, our focus is birds.

Many bird species, both migratory and resident can be found on Sir Bani Yas and the Discovery Islands.  Some of these birds have successfully bred on the islands in 2011 and we have an exciting new record for a species never before known to breed on Sir Bani Yas. We present the Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, also known as the Pterocles exutus, but please, feel free to call it Chestnut.

Image credit goes to Marius Prinsloo

On the 5^th of July, 2011 we had the first record of Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse breeding on Sir Bani Yas Island.  A mother was seen foraging with her three tiny chicks.

Although seen throughout the UAE, there have not been many confirmed incidences of this species breeding. There have been a few records in the Dubai and Abu Dhabi emirates, usually around coastal areas. A lot of these coastal regions are under development thus reducing available breeding sites for this bird and many other species.  Sir Bani Yas is more protected than some other areas and it is a good sign that conditions are suitable for this species to breed on the island.

The chestnut-bellied sandgrouse is a small, plump bird with a pale buff-coloured head, dark under its wings, a black lower-belly, and a chestnut upper-belly. The bill is grey-blue with a black tip, and there is a pale green ring around the eyes. The plumage of this bird gives it amazing camouflage against the sand. When a predator is detected, rather than flying or running away and risk giving away its location, the sandgrouse remains motionless and relies on its camouflaged plumage to conceal itself.

The chestnut-bellied sandgrouse inhabits a range of environments, including shrub land, semi-desert scattered with thorny shrubs or trees and grassland. It occurs along the coast of sub-Saharan Africa and throughout much of India and Pakistan. There are also scattered populations along the coasts of the Middle East. This species tends to live in small, scattered groups to reduce its visibility to predators. They do however gather in large numbers around watering holes in some regions where there are large populations. Adult birds can fly distances of up to 16 kilometres per day to find water, gathering in flocks to drink a couple of hours after sunrise, and on very hot days at sundown.

The timing of breeding generally occurs sometime between January and July. This species nests in a simple scrape in the ground and may produce two clutches a year; averaging three eggs per clutch. Both the male and female birds incubate the eggs. The chicks are active from hatching, soon foraging for food with the adult birds; eating legumes, shoots and sometimes insects.

The chicks are reliant on the adults for water as they are unable to fly large distances. The sandgrouse family has a unique way of providing water for their young. The adult birds soak up water in the breast feathers before returning to the nest transporting water for their chicks.

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The Jaculus Jaculus

Better known as the Lesser Egyptian Jerboa, the Jaculus Jaculus is part of the rodent family and shows several special adaptations to living in an arid desert environment – including Sir Bani Yas.

Physical Features:

- Looks like a miniature kangaroo with long, strong back legs for jumping – this makes it easier to escape its predator. It has the ability to leap a full three meters to escape a predator.  It also  jumps in a zig-zag pattern when fleeing to confuse the predator

- Like many other desert dwelling creatures the jerboa has large ears for dissipating heat

- Colouration – the Jerboa is buff in colour so it blends in with the sandy environment in which it lives

- The lesser Egyptian jerboa has three toes on each of its hind feet and a very long tail, used for balance when jumping

- It has large eyes and ears for detecting insects and watching for predators

- It has a stubby snout

This species is widely distributed throughout North Africa, Arabia, Iran, and is particularly abundant in Egypt – hence, the name. It does not need to drink at all, but relies on its food to provide enough moisture for its survival. Jerboas become sexually mature at 8-12 months old, and breeding is known to occur at least twice a year, between June to July and from October to December. These species are usually silent unless threatened or disturbed, which is when they start making grunting noises or loud squeaks to try and put the predator off.

9 Responses to “The Jaculus Jaculus”