Whether you are in Kenya or South Africa, the king of the African game birds must surely be the sandgrouse.
They have small pigeon-like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies and incredibly tough skin.
The Namaqua and Burchell's sandgrouse are the most common in the areas that we shoot in South Africa but they are shot at different times during the year due to their differing breeding seasons. The Namaqua sandgrouse habitat consists of a stone and gravel soil surface in desert and semi-desert areas; the Burchell's sandgrouse favours more sandy areas and dry savannah.
In Kenya you will find the Black Faced, Chestnut Bellied, Yellow Throated and perhaps some Lichtensteins sandgrouse. All are common in southern Kenya up to 1600m in bushed habitats and mostly in semi-arid regions.
In both countries the birds are flighted into watering holes in the morning or evening depending on the species and country. They provide excellent sport and are amazingly agile in flight especially in wind.
South Africa - from April - 15 July.
Kenya - March, October and November.
