Also known as the Indian Sandgrouse, the Chestnut Sandgrouse is common in both India and Africa. They can be found in hot, sparse, arid climates and are known to journey 50 miles in a day in order to find water. In addition to drinking at a water source, these birds will steep their bellies in water and using their feathers to absorb it so that they may bring it back to the nest for their young. In fact, the Chestnut Bellied Sandgrouse may hold up to 20mL of water in its belly feathers.

As the name implies, this bird has a chestnut colored belly with black breastband, buff or light brown body and mottled wings. Originally this bird was brought from Rajasthan, India to Nevada in the 1960s. Today it can only be found in the United States on the big island of Hawaii.

Photo Courtesy of Arpit Demurari.