Chestnut bellied Sandgrouse - Kadbanwadi Grasslands, Indapur, Maharashtra

To the south of Bhigwan, bereft of any hills, lie the wide Ujni backwater wetlands. A shallow waste water reserve formed by the discharge of water from the Pune region dams like Panshet, Pawna, Khadakwasla, Varasgaon, Temghar, etc. This semi waste water has created an excellent wetland based ecosystem supporting a large variety of water birds, both endemic and migratory, and also helped with the local agriculture. Nearly 300 species of endemic and migratory birds have been recorded here.
Surrounding this lush ecosystem are the rich grasslands and fertile farms home to an impressive list of birds, mammals and reptiles. Home to an impressive list of birds, mammals and reptiles they protect many mammals like the Chinkara, Indian Mongoose, the Near Threatened Striped Hyena, the Endangered Indian Grey Wolf & Indian Fox and are also popular for grassland birds and numerous birds of prey, including some magnificent eagles & harriers. My trip this time was focused only a few species among which was this Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse.
The Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse or Common Sandgrouse is a species of sandgrouse. A sedentary and nomadic species that ranges from northern and central Africa and further east towards western and southern Asia. There are six recognised subspecies. Today we spend time with Pterocles exustus hindustan which is found in Iran, Pakistan and India.
These are small to medium-sized, brownish sandgrouses with an elongated and pointed tail when in flight. When grounded, they appear as very short-legged birds, with a small head. They will stretch out their long necks when wary. Watch the video for my experience with the bird and read the blog for more: wildart.works/...
Read more about the wildlife of this area in and around the Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary and the fast disappearing grasslands of Kadbanwadi, home to a number of species like these wolves, hyenas, jackals, foxes, and a number of migratory & resident birds.
1. Indian Wolf: wildart.works/...
2. Striped Hyena: wildart.works/...
2. Wildlife of the Grasslands: wildart.works/...
3. Indian Fox/ Bengal Fox: wildart.works/...
4. Golden Jackal: wildart.works/...
5. Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary: wildart.works/...
6. Kadbanwadi Grasslands: wildart.works/...
7. Wildlife of Maharashtra: wildart.works/...
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