Where it lives
Adapted to the desert; on Hawaiʻi Island it flies daily between the uplands and the coast to collect water, and Hawaiʻi Birding Trails lists it at Waikiʻi, a pasture-and-grasslands site. [1][2][3]
How it behaves
Powerful flyer adapted to desert; on Hawaii Island flies mauka to makai to collect water [1][2][3]
Where it is listed for legal take
These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.
Where legal take is listed
- Hawaii — hunting · HAR Title 13 Chapter 122, Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting (unofficial copy, am. 05/09/15)
Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.
Where it is found
Introduced to Hawaii Island by the Nevada game department as a trial for possible import to Nevada. NatureServe records it in Hawaii.
Sources
Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.
- BIOLOGICALchestnut-bellied sandgrouse
State of Hawaii, Hawaii Birding Trails · reviewed 2026-09-30
State of Hawaii, Hawaii Birding Trails
- BIOLOGICALNatureServe Explorer: Pterocles exustus
NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30
NatureServe
- BIOLOGICALPterocles exustus (classification)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology · reviewed 2026-09-30
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology