Pterocles senegallus

The Spotted Sandgrouse is classified as Endangered (EN) because of the continued decrease in its population size, which is estimated at more than 50% over 3 generations (16.8 years). In the previous edition of the Red Book (2002), the species was classified as Vulnerable (VU), the change in threat level reflects a deterioration in its population.

Habitats	Desert Plains, Inland Sand Dunes
Presence In Israel	Resident
Breeding In Israel	Breeder
Migration Types	Resident, Nomad
Zoographical Zones	Saharo-Arabian
Landscape Types	Plains & Valleys, Wide Wadis, Sand Dunes
Vegetation Densities	Low
Nest Locations	Ground
Diet Types	Herbivore
Foraging Grounds	Ground
Body Sizes	Small (up to 500g)
Threat Factors	Overgrazing, Habitat loss and fragmentation, Direct disturbance from human activity, Increased predation from invasive and eruptive species

The Spotted Sandgrouse is a relatively common resident species in the Negev and the Arava Valley. Its range in the Western Negev extends from the Tlalim-Tse’elim line and south, and in the Eastern Negev, from the Hatseva-Dimona line to the Uvda Valley. The species was once more common throughout its current range as well as northwards, in the Judean Desert Plateau and the Be’er Sheva Valley. In the 1980s, its population was estimated at 10,000-15,000 birds that gathered at drinking points, of which 2,000-3,000 were breeding pairs (Shirihai 1996). From 1985 the number of sandgrouse at drinking spots in the Nitsana-Shivta area decreased to between tens and a few hundred individuals. During the 1990s, the Spotted Sandgrouse receded from the Be’er Sheva Valley and the northwestern Negev, and from the Judean Desert Plateau. The southern Negev population, which number a few hundred birds, has remained stable over the years, but information from this area is inadequate.

Open habitats with low sparse vegetation, such as the loess and sand plains, low hills, broad wadis and hamada flats in the desert region. Outside the breeding season, Spotted Sandgrouse may concentrate in small flocks in cultivated fields and green patches in the desert. As other sandgrouse species, its activity is associated with permanent water sources.

Direct disturbance, mainly by military activity and grazing (particularly sheep herds accompanied by dogs).
Lack of clean drinking spots – the sandgrouse today drink mainly from sewage ponds and there is no information regarding the effect of the polluted water on their survival and reproductive capacity.
Expansion of agricultural areas – during the past two decades cultivated areas in the Northern Negev and the Arava have expanded, including extensive use of greenhouses, which reduces available habitats for the sandgrouse.
Expansion of eruptive species that are the sandgrouse’s natural enemies, such as the Red Fox, Golden Jackal, Hooded Crow and Brown-necked Raven into desert areas.

No specific conservation measures have been taken for this species to date.

The Spotted Sandgrouse is assessed as an endangered species (EN) because of the continued decline in its population size and the reduction in its range. It is a nomadic species that wanders over extensive areas and requires permanent water sources for daily drinking. Therefore, we recommend declaring key areas for species preservation in which vehicle traffic and livestock grazing will be restricted, along with creation of permanent watering spots where the sandgrouse can drink undisturbed and not be exposed to the risk of toxins and pollution.

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• Perlman, Y., Shochat, E. and Labinger, Z. 2011. Developing Managment plan for important bird areas in southern Israel. second annual report, Nizzana region and Arava Valley.Israeli Ornithological center, SPNI.
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• Symes, A. 2013. Species generation lengths. Unpublished, BirdLife International.
• Species page at Birdlife International