Syrrhaptes

Syrrhaptes is a genus of birds in the family Pteroclidae, commonly known as sandgrouse. These birds are native to arid and semi-arid regions of Asia. The genus currently contains two recognized species. The most well-known is the Pallas's sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes paradoxus, which is found across Central Asia and has a history of occasional mass irruptions into Europe. The other species is Hodgson's sandgrouse, Syrrhaptes hodgsoni, which inhabits the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau. Syrrhaptes species are medium-sized ground birds characterized by their relatively small heads, slender bodies, and long, pointed wings adapted for rapid flight. Their plumage is typically cryptic, blending in with the sandy or stony environments they inhabit, with mottled brown, buff, and gray patterns. They are primarily terrestrial, spending most of their time foraging on the ground for seeds, grains, and other plant matter. A distinctive characteristic of sandgrouse, including Syrrhaptes, is their ability to absorb water in their specialized belly feathers and transport it back to their chicks, which are unable to travel to water sources themselves. This adaptation is crucial for their survival in extremely dry habitats. Syrrhaptes are often found in flocks, especially when gathering at waterholes.