The best habitats for Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata, Houbara Chlamydotis undulata and Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax, Peregrine Falco peregrinus and Saker Falcons F. cherrug are found close to the border with Turkmenistan. In order to protect their seeds, farmers use various pesticides resulting in significant sandgrouse mortality. In winter 1990, many poisoned birds were found in the area. Hunting and habitat degradation are also threats. From my counts of the species in Golestan province, there is evidence that this population, which breeds in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and south Kazakhstan, is declining.
Nests are on the ground in shallow scrapes.
Three buffy cream eggs with small russet-brown and larger grey blotches are laid. Incubation occupies 21 days with the male undertaking the majority of these duties once the final egg has been laid. The eggs are laid at one-day intervals. Ramezanali Ghaemi, Senior Expert, Gorgan Department of the Environment, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata , Golestan province, Iran.