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The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Namaqua Sandgrouse

Afrikaans name: Kelkiewyn

Namaqua Sandgrouse

Photo © EcoView - Fotolia.com

Pterocles namaqua

The Namaqua Sandgrouse is a near-endemic to southern Africa. This means that it is mainly found in southern Africa but its range spills over a bit beyond the region. It is mainly found in the drier areas of South Africa and Namibia.

It prefers arid regions such as those found in the Kalahari and Nama Karoo.

Namaqua Sandgrouse mainly feed on seeds but will sometimes take other vegetable material.

They are able to soak up moisture, in the feathers on their bellies, while at a waterhole then fly back to their nest with the water for their chicks.

Namaqua Sandgrouse make a scrape on the ground for their nests. Normally 2 or 3 eggs are laid. The female tends to the eggs during the hot days and the males look after them at night. The chicks develop and are able to fly short distances and look for food at a young age.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

EditionRoberts nrScientific name
1st307Pterocles namaqua namaqua
2nd307Pterocles namaqua
3rd307Pterocles namaqua
4th307Pterocles namaqua
5th344Pterocles namaqua
6th344Pterocles namaqua
7th227Pterocles namaqua

EditionRoberts nrEnglish name
1st307Namaqua Sandgrouse
2nd307Namaqua Sandgrouse
3rd307Namaqua Sandgrouse
4th307Namaqua Sandgrouse
5th344Namaqua Sandgrouse
6th344Namaqua Sandgrouse
7th227Namaqua Sandgrouse

EditionRoberts nrAfrikaans name
1st307Namakwa-patrys
2nd307Kelkiewyn
3rd307Kelkiewyn
4th307Kelkiewyn
5th344Kelkiewyn
6th344Kelkiewyn
7th227Kelkiewyn

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 102

World Birds - Author: Brian P. Martin - Published: 1987 - Page: 125

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 124

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 65

The Living Deserts of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Darry Lovegrove - Published: 2021 - Page: 131

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 115

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 119

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 220

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 294

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 212

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 220

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 298

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 163

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 212

Questions and Answers - Birds of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 29

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 102

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 194

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 149

Nature in the Balance - Author: Rob Marsh - Published: 1991 - Page: 39

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 194

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 410

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 148

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 253

Gamebirds of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1967 - Page: 173

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 105

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 159

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 38

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 111

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 63

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 112

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 117

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 117

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 139

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