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Sand Grouse - Pair
9cm & 12.7cm
204-404/5 ...... 6400 USD
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Namaqua Sandgrouse are beautiful birds which nest far from water - possibly to keep their chicks isolated from predators. They are a popular game bird in Africa.
Sandgrouse are found in semi-arid and desert areas, from the southern tip of Africa to the Middle East and the sub-continent.
Sandgrouse are sensitive indicators of environmental stability and health; their abundance for example, indicates a high level of botanical diversity and that the surrounding desert vegetation is in good health.
The Namaqua sandgrouse is easily distinguished from its relations by its long, pointed tail. The cock bird is told apart from the hen by the small soft spurs that jut from its lower legs which are clearly seen on the sculpture.
It is the job of the male sandgrouse to bring water to his chicks. He does this by flying to the nearest source of water and soaking his specially adapted absorbent belly-feathers before flying straight back to the chicks, who then suck out the water retained by the filaments. Namaqua sandgrouse flock to water at precisely the same time every day. Sandgrouse chicks will follow their parents to forage nearby only a few hours after hatching, and will peck at the legume seeds that constitute their diet.
This pair of Patrick Mavros sandgrouse has the hen standing alert at the waterhole whilst the cock belly-wets in before flying up to 40 kilometres to water his chicks.
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