Predation 
The imperial sandgrouse does not appear to be particularly suscep- 
tible to predation. In the semidesert areas of Turkey both avian and 
ground predators were much in evidence. Foxes were so common that I 
averaged seeing one for every 10 to 15 miles of night driving, in many 
areas. Snakes and lizards of a size sufficient to destroy the eggs of 
the imperial sandgrouse were occasionally contacted. Slow-flying hawks 
were abundant; prairie falcons frequently were seen. In the Thar Desert 
of India these were seen in close association with sandgrouse, but it 
is doubtful whether mortality from this cause is great. During live- 
trapping operations falcons do cause some harassment. Attracted by the 
struggling trapped birds, they may take advantage of this artificial 
situation by dropping into the nets. Ground predators probably cause 
little loss to the wary imperial sandgrouse. 
On the Tigris, Meinertzhagen (26) reports that after a flock of 
imperial sandgrouse landed in deep water to drink, one of the birds 
was sucked under with a squelch by a large fish. Normally this sandgrouse 
alights first on land then walks to the water's edge for drinking, 
Reproductive Capacity 
The reproductive capacity of the imperial sandgrouse is low but 
the survival rate of the broods appears to be substantial. 
Breeding age -- Imperial sandgrouse breed the first year following 
hatching, 
Number of eggs -- Normally 2 to 3 eggs are laid, a clutch similar in 
size to that of other sandgrouse. 
Brood survival -- Considered high. 
Life span -- Unknown 
Sex ratio -- Not definitely known but appears to be closely 
balanced in the wild. 
Renesting -- Renesting almost certainly if the first clutch is 
destroyed before hatching. 
Second broods -=- Probable though currently unproven, Baker (3) 
indicates that the common Indian sandgrouse nests at least twice each 
year. 
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