common family sixteen species bird members order traditionally placed genera central asian species classified fourteen species africa asia placed genus ground dwelling birds restricted open country plains semi distributed northern southern eastern africa madagascar middle_east india central asia ranges black pin tailed extend france occasionally breaks large numbers normal range asia description small like heads compact bodies range size centimetres length grams weight adults sexually males slightly larger brightly colored females strong primary feathers long pointed wings giving fast direct flight muscles wings powerful birds capable rapid sustained flight species central feathers tail extended long points legs short members genus feathers growing legs toes hind toes members genus legs feathers toes rudimentary hind toes raised ground plumage cryptic generally shades sandy brown grey buff variously barred enabling birds merge dusty landscape dense layer helps bird extremes heat cold feathers belly specially adapted absorbing water retaining allowing adults particularly males carry water chicks miles away holes water carried way fluid distribution members genus found central asia range extends southern siberia northern central china normally resident locally migratory occasionally appearing areas outside normal range happened major took place birds seen far ireland united_kingdom bred yorkshire members genus mainly found drier parts northern eastern southern africa range species extends middle_east western asia madagascar restricted madagascar black pin tailed occur spain portugal southern france species local typically lower altitudes winter behaviour ecology diet feeding principally seed food items eaten include green shoots leaves insect food ants eaten especially breeding season diet highly specialised seeds small number plant species dominant depend local availability cases reflects actual selection favoured seeds seeds plants usually important diet agricultural areas grain readily taken seeds collected ground directly plants foraging techniques vary species reduces competition double banded feed slowly whilst feed rapidly exploring loose soil away sideways help grind food feeding flocks birds consequence dry diet need visit water sources regularly drinking times vary species species drink dawn dusk times drinking water raised let water flow crop repeating procedure rapidly water hours seconds travel water holes members species hundreds thousands arrival drinking site despite different locations scattered hundreds square miles kilometres territory vulnerable attack large number birds predators find difficult select target bird likely spotted close flock choice site influenced topography nearby ground tend avoid sites cover predators greatest risk usually predatory birds travel tens miles traditional water holes tend disregard temporary water sources appear periodically probably survival value dried water source arid region result death travels miles daily reach water source species need drink day need travel drink abundance water melting habitat breeding breeding season usually crop seeds local rainy season time feeding flocks tend break pairs nesting site slight depression ground lined pieces dry foliage typically cryptic eggs laid occasionally duties shared species males night females sit eggs day eggs usually hatch days chicks covered leave nest soon dried parents provide food learn parental guidance edible chicks obtain water soaked feathers adults breasts chicks small young provided shade hottest day night remain parents family group months taxonomy included similarities family shares true later discovered similarities superficial result evolution later placed near largely reported ability drink pumping action unusual characteristic recently reported suck water way treated separately order considered near birds considered closer dna study included larger study positioned close patterned young egg shape closely resemble eggs near elliptical species relations humans little interaction people primarily species live arid areas low generally sought game birds especially occasion taken great numbers water holes attempt introduce nevada failed introduced hawaii species considered threatened range particularly europe subspecies chestnut seen egypt thought extinct reasons unknown
Sandgrouse