Painted Sandgrouse:
The Painted Sandgrouse is a medium sized
plump bird of rocky and hilly undulating terrain. Both the sexes of
this specie can be easily distinguished.
Habitat:
Typically found in areas with scattered
thorn bushes , 'Acacia modesta' and keeping to a stony
substrate. It avoids cultivated areas. Occurs only in low hilly
tracts, being totally absent from higher mountains.
Red Data Status:
Unknown.
World Distribution:
An Oriental endemic specie confined to the
Southern and Western parts of Indian Subcontinent. It is endemic to
Pakistan and India.
Distribution in Pakistan:
In Pakistan it occurs very sparsely in the
Salt Range. It is confined to low and hilly areas and stony rocky
escarpments of the Salt Range, Attock, on the west side of the Indus
in the low hills around Kohat, and the lower Kurram Valley. It also
occurs in the foot of the hills north of Khushab.
Places to See Painted Sandgrouse:
In Pakistan the Painted Sandgrouse is a
curiously rare bird. It is totally absent from many areas of perfect
habitat. Therefore, prediction of places to see this bird are tough.
Still, this bird can be reliably encountered in Dina, part of Jhelum
district in the months of July-August. However, the area is jeepable,
but not motorable. Here in 2004 upto 6 birds were seen in 3 groups in
an area less than 2 acres.
