tibetan sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus

A sandy-colored ground bird with a thin needle-point tail and a gentle, dove-like profile. Not as well-marked as other sandgrouse: soft sandy brown with a light orange face and finely barred breast. Female has weak barring all over her back and wings. Often seen in flight, during which it reveals extensive black on the underwings and the upper end of the upperwings. Does not regularly visit water holes, unlike many other sandgrouse species. Inhabits wide, open expanses of semi-desert.