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Definition of sandgrouse

sandgrouse

/ˈsændˌɡraʊs/
sand · grouse
Plural:sandgrouse
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sandgrouse Lexical Profile

sandgrouse Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of various ground-dwelling birds of the family Pteroclidae, native to deserts and dry plains of Africa and Asia, characterized by pigeon-like heads, feathered legs, and the unique ability of males to carry water to their chicks in specially adapted belly feathers.

Example

"Every morning during the dry season, the male sandgrouse flies miles to the nearest waterhole to soak his absorbent belly feathers before returning to the nest."

Word Nuance & Usage

Despite their name and superficial resemblance to true grouse, sandgrouse belong to their own distinct family (Pteroclidae) and are biologically closer to pigeons and doves.

• Nearby Words

sandersonia
sandfish
sandfly
sandgrouse
sandheap
sandhill
sandiness

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 19th century from 'sand' and 'grouse', referencing their typical desert habitats and their physical similarity to traditional game birds.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sandgrouse. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sandgrouse
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