Genus of birds
Pterocles is a genus of near passerine birds in the sandgrouse family. It includes all the species in the family except for two central Asian species in "Syrrhaptes".
These sandgrouse have small, pigeon-like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails. Their legs are feathered down to the toes, but unlike species of the genus "Syrrhaptes" the toes are not feathered.
"Pterocles" species have a fast direct flight, and flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk.
Two to three eggs are laid directly on the ground. They are buff or greenish with cryptic markings. All species are resident.
Taxonomy.
The genus "Pterocles" was introduced in 1815 by the Dutch zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck. The type species was subsequently designated by the English zoologist George Robert Gray as the pin-tailed sandgrouse. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek "pteron" meaning "wing" with "-klēs" meaning "notable" or "splendid".
Species.
The genus contains 14 extant species:
A fossil species, "Pterocles bosporanus", is known from the early Pleistocene of Crimea.
References.
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